TRIPOLI, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- In a workshop humming with engines in Mayah, 40 km southwest of the Libyan capital Tripoli, 25-year-old Rawan Abu Aisha is building a career uncommon for Libyan women -- turning a childhood passion for cars into a business modifying engines.
Growing up, Abu Aisha often watched her father work as a mechanic. "The workshop environment was familiar to me from childhood because I grew up watching my father work with cars," Abu Aisha told Xinhua.
"Over time, that interest became something I wanted to turn into a profession," she explained, saying the opportunity came through an entrepreneurship competition in Libya that invited participants to present innovative business ideas.
Drawing on her family background, she proposed modifying car engines to meet owners' specific needs. The idea became real when a customer agreed to an engine replacement. The project subsequently grew into a company established in 2022, whose primary business is modifying engines using its own custom-built units.
"My father's support and practical experience helped me take my first steps in this field," she said. "His encouragement gave me the confidence to develop my skills and turn an idea into a real business."
Her studies in entrepreneurship also equipped her with knowledge of business management, marketing and accounting, helping the company move beyond its technical roots toward a more structured management approach. What began as a business relying largely on customer recommendations later expanded its reach through an online presence and social media platforms.
According to Abu Aisha, the company's social media page has attracted over 50,000 followers, and demand for its services has grown so rapidly that her current team can barely keep up.
"The growing number of followers and the rising demand for our services show that there is considerable interest in what we do," she said. "Our next step is to expand the business and improve our ability to meet customers' needs."
Abu Aisha also hopes to partner with companies abroad, stressing the importance of long-term planning and continuous development.
"Building a sustainable business requires more than providing a good technical service," she said. "It also requires organized management, continuous improvement and a clear vision for the future."
While she believes social acceptance of women in the workplace has grown in recent years, Abu Aisha's greatest lesson from entrepreneurship is that young women must take initiative and pursue their ambitions, rather than let stereotypes dictate their choices.
"Women should not allow stereotypes to decide what they can or cannot do," she said. "They should be willing to try, learn and discover their abilities through practical experience."
For young women considering careers in mechanics, engineering or other nontraditional fields, her journey shows how personal interests can be turned into professional opportunities through determination, learning and hands-on experience.
"I want to continue developing the business and provide services that customers can trust," she said. "I believe that competence and expertise, rather than gender, should determine whether someone can succeed in a particular profession." ■