Where Women Connect, Beethovensingel 15, Castricum (2026)

05/06/2026

Meet my dear friend , founder of and featured in my series.

We met in Qatar through our shared passion for fashion and entrepreneurship. Over the years, that connection led to a collaboration on my own dress collection, inspired by silhouettes and prints I love. Sonali transformed my ideas into sketches that were brought to life through traditional craftsmanship. The fabrics were hand-dyed in Jaipur and stitched in Delhi by her talented team. It was incredible to see an idea evolve from sketch to finished collection, supported by artisans who have perfected their craft over generations.

With more than 30 years of experience across India and the Middle East, Sonali is a fashion designer, entrepreneur, educator and consultant. Her slow fashion brand, SR by Sonali Raman, was created from a desire to make ethically sourced and sustainable products, reimagining India’s traditional fabrics and crafts in a contemporary way.

Supporting women is at the heart of what she does. Through her work with women artisans, weavers and embroiderers across India, she helps create opportunities while preserving traditional craftsmanship.

Like many small businesses, Sonali has had to navigate changing customer sentiment, rising costs and supply chain challenges. Her response has been thoughtful: slow down, adapt and continue creating with purpose.

What struck me most is her belief in the importance of community. Visibility, collaboration, customer loyalty and simply showing up for one another can make all the difference for small businesses.

Here’s to the women building through change.

What’s your story?

31/05/2026

Some projects need to brew a little longer than others.

Women on the Move was born years ago in Qatar, through countless conversations with women from all over the world. Women who arrived with dreams, hopes, uncertainty, ambition, courage. Women who pivoted careers, started businesses, rebuilt themselves, found friendships, and shaped entirely new lives far away from home.

For years, I kept thinking: these stories that I started sharing through my different community series deserve to be captured in a book.

As many of you know, I’m endlessly curious when it comes to people and their journeys. Listening to women’s stories has always been one of my favourite things about building my Where Women Connect community.

But life happened. Business happened. Family happened. And this project stayed quietly brewing in the background.

Then there is . My dear friend, brilliant photographer, and my creative partner in crime in this book project. She has brought my community, my brand and vision to life through her lens for years, and now she is doing the same for the incredible women who will be sharing their story.

We were finally ready for the photoshoot in March and then the situation in the Middle East changed, forcing us to postpone everything. But last week, it finally happened.

We created a walk-in photoshoot, and one by one the women walked in smiling, excited, glowing. Women who I’ve known for many years, and who are very dear to me. The energy in the room was so special. We were all beaming.

And suddenly, this idea that had lived in my head and heart for years became real. Tears of joy ran down my cheeks, again!

Now behind the scenes, we’re passionately bringing it all together. Writing our stories, choosing portraits, editing pages filled with resilience, reinvention, friendship, courage, and the power of the right connections in the right room.

After the summer, Women on the Move will finally come into the world. And I truly cannot wait for you to read these stories, brought to life through the most beautiful portraits. Stay tuned!

06/05/2026

With everything shifting, and a fair bit of chaos, I’ve decided to at least bring some proper structure into my business.

In 2011, I left corporate and jumped into entrepreneurship. I was so excited. But organised? Not even close! Because when you leave corporate, you don’t just leave your monthly salary behind, you also leave behind beautifully connected systems, processes, and dashboards that just work.

Suddenly, it’s just you. And your ideas. Lots of ideas.

When we started our recruitment company Global Women Qatar, we ran everything on Google Docs. It worked, until it didn’t. So we upgraded to proper recruitment software, which helped us grow. But structure? Real planning? Still no.

Same story with my shoe brand (hello Excel!), and my community (a mix of everything, everywhere, all at once).

Over the past 15 years, it’s been a whirlwind of businesses, ideas, tools, apps, and a mind that never sits still. I’ve tried to get organised many times. It never quite stuck.

And then, ! She found my community, came to events (the ones I wasn’t at!), joined my world quietly, until we started talking two weeks ago.

She saw it all: the ideas, the gaps, the chaos, the potential. Clémence is your strategic right hand. She’s helping you bring everything together: systems, structure, flow.

All of this, just as I’m preparing for my community membership launch and continuing to build my hub in Doha, with Luxembourg on the horizon.

Reading her audit of my business felt like someone finally turning the lights on in a room I’d been navigating in the dark for years. For the first time in a long time, I feel genuinely calm. Clear. Ready.
Like I’m finally moving, but on tracks. And we move fast!

I’m curious, do you have your systems and structure sorted, or are you also running on organised chaos. Tell me!

Photo by my beautiful friend & photographer

28/04/2026

What’s really happening behind the scenes of a woman’s life and career?

Over the years, I’ve been running different series, taking a closer look at what women in our community are really building, navigating, and figuring out across life, career, and business.

Today meet Marcelia Bou Chebl, an image strategist based in Qatar.
“I work mostly with women, and also with men, helping them approach their image in a more intentional and personal way. My work goes beyond clothing, focusing on how image connects to each person’s lifestyle, their roles, and how they want to be perceived in their everyday life.”

Since the unsettling situation, the biggest shift for me has been more internal than external. I chose to slow down how I was positioning my work. Not because I stopped working, but because the moment required more awareness.

Behind the scenes, I continued supporting my clients. Some things slowed down, others came through referrals more organically. It made me reflect on timing, communication, and the responsibility behind how I guide people through their image.

A decision that made a difference was choosing not to force visibility. I stayed aligned, even if that meant being quieter. That gave me clarity.

The most challenging part has been not reacting out of pressure. Learning to respect the moment instead of reacting to it.

I simplified everything. Focused on my routine, my family, and the work already in my hands. Going slower wasn’t a problem, it was necessary.

Right now, what feels most valuable is genuine connection. Sometimes support is simple, a message, a referral, or sharing someone’s work. I support through my work, helping people find clarity in how they show up. This is a moment where collaboration becomes even more meaningful.

A huge thank you Marcelia, for giving us a peek behind your scenes and how you’ve kept building through change.

What has change looked like for you recently? I’d love to hear!

20/04/2026

The most confusing part? It’s not the move. It’s your career. Because every time you change countries, you don’t just ask what’s next but you ask what actually comes with you.

My Lisbon chapter has been a transition. A more private one. Where I focused on family, especially my children with my husband on the other side of the world. On personal growth. On the kind of inner work that doesn’t show, but changes everything. Not every chapter is meant for full expansion. Some are there to realign you.

I did build here: events, connections, bringing women together. But as life shifted, the building became quieter. Smaller circles, closer connections, more depth. And those rooms? They mattered just as much! I met incredible women here too who became close friends, supporting me in life, in professional development, and in still moving things forward, even when it wasn’t loud.

The foundation of what I build, was built in Doha. My women’s community Where Women Connect. That’s what I’m taking forward. This next step isn’t about starting over. It’s about expanding, and continuing to build what already exists in Doha, while stepping into a new market and building again in a completely different environment. On the same foundation, in a different context.

And alongside that I’ll be continuing to grow my recruitment work, connecting women to opportunities. Not just through roles, but through the right introductions, networks, and conversations. Work that has always been built on relationships, on understanding female talent beyond CVs, and placing them where they can actually thrive.

Meaning that I don’t start from zero. I’ll build from experience and from a network that already exists. I’ll adapt and grow again, but differently. In two places now: Doha and Luxembourg.

The real shift isn’t “what do I do next?” It’s knowing exactly what you stand for and building it wherever you go.

I’d love to hear from you, what’s one thing you’ve built that you’d take with you anywhere!

Photo by my amazing friend

🇶🇦 🇱🇺

15/04/2026

Today marks my last 3 months in Lisbon. On the other side Luxembourg is waiting.

Since taking the decision to make this move my world has descended into chaos, again. Wrapping up one chapter, getting ready for the next. Story of my life 🫣

My head hurts, my body aches, my heart cries, but is also full of dreams.

It’s that messy in-between where everything moves fast, but slow at the same time. Where things don’t always go how you want them to go, where you change direction a few times, where you manage each other’s feelings to make sure everyone is happy. And where you grow a few more grey hairs!

But I’m ready. Ready to take on this next chapter, between Luxembourg and Doha.

Now I’m curious, as always! What does that messy part look like for you? Share in the comments! With much love, Elsbeth xx

13/04/2026

In times like these, businesses don’t stop, they adapt.

Across our Qatar community, women continue to build and move forward. With this series, I’m sharing their voices on what’s shifting, what’s working, and how we support each other. Because even now, we don’t stand still. We move, learn, and do it together.

Today meet C A M I L L E, founder of UrPharma, a clean beauty GCC boutique distribution company, making pharmaceutical expertise more accessible, practical, and patient-centered.

“I started this venture with a strong connection to the Middle East, particularly in Qatar and the UAE, where my work and network are primarily based. Through my background as a pharmacist and entrepreneur, I aim to bridge healthcare and innovation while supporting patients.”

What has shifted most?
The most significant shift has been both logistical and emotional. Being temporarily based in Belgium while my business is centered in Qatar and the UAE has required me to adapt how I operate. Some projects slowed, communication became more intentional.

Emotionally, it brought a heightened awareness of uncertainty, requiring flexibility and resilience.

A decision that made a difference:
I focus on what I can control: strengthening existing projects and relationships rather than expanding. Prioritizing depth over expansion helped maintain continuity and quality.

What feels most challenging?
The unpredictability makes it difficult to plan ahead. Timelines and opportunities can shift quickly, requiring constant adjustment.

Staying steady
I focus on structure and perspective: clear priorities, simple routines, and flexibility. Staying connected with trusted peers and keeping a long-term vision helps me remain steady.

Support right now
Meaningful connections and open conversations are incredibly valuable. I support other women by sharing knowledge, offering connections, and fostering mutual growth.

Thank you for sharing your story, Camille! Want to share your story, too or looking to connect and collaborate? Reach out! With much love, Elsbeth xx

12/04/2026

Connection doesn’t only happen in one place. And the right rooms are not always physical.

Especially over the last month, I’ve been feeling this more than ever. Events cancelled. Plans shifting. Women from our community choosing to be elsewhere for their family’s safety and more calm.

And I’m somewhere in between. Leaving one place. Not fully arrived in the next. And still wanting to stay connected, visible, and in motion.

Because here’s the reality: So much of our momentum comes from being in the right rooms. The conversations, the energy, the people you meet, the opportunities that come from simply being there.

But when those rooms suddenly aren’t there, we have a choice. Pause everything, or create new ways to stay connected. Connection doesn’t stop when location changes. It just requires more intention.

And right now, that looks like:
• Reaching out instead of waiting
• Asking for introductions
• Starting smaller, more meaningful conversations
• Exploring collaborations across countries
• Creating your own “room” when the usual ones aren’t available

And this is where I see something shifting inside Elsbeth | Women on the Move. Even when we’re not all in the same place, the room doesn’t disappear. It evolves.

Women reaching out, asking to be connected, looking for collaborations, and wanting to stay visible, wherever we are.

And I’m doing what I’ve always done as much as I can, bringing the right women together. Just in a different way. More intentional. More personal. Across places, not just within one. It’s all about creating rooms that move with you.

My next guest C A M I L L E, founder of UrPharma in our series ‘Building Through Change’ will take us on her journey this week how she’s adjusting her day-to-day business operations and how she’s adapting and creating her rooms in these uncertain times.

If you’re navigating this in-between too, reach out! If you’re looking for the right people, conversations or collaborations, I’m here. With much love, Elsbeth xx

01/04/2026

In times like these, businesses don’t stop, they adapt.

Across our Qatar community, women are continuing to build, adjust, and move forward, each in their own way. With this series, I’m bringing together the voices of women building through change by sharing what’s shifting, what’s working, and how we support each other.

Because even in uncertain moments, we don’t stand still. We move, we learn, and we do it together. Today, meet , Fractional COO based in Qatar.

“Think of me as your strategic operational right hand, a part-time COO who brings structure behind the scenes. I work with founders whose businesses are growing fast but becoming complex, more moving parts, less clarity. My role is to put the right systems and rhythm in place so growth feels sustainable again.”

What has shifted most? Practically, everything relying on in-person connection paused. Many founders refocused on essentials and cash flow. Emotionally, I’ve felt stable. My focus shifted to keeping things calm at home.

A decision that made a difference: I stepped back from the noise and focused on what matters: my family and strengthening my business from within.

What feels most challenging: Maintaining momentum in uncertainty. Staying aligned with your North Star and continuing to build.

Staying steady: My business is fully portable, I can work from anywhere and continue supporting founders. I keep things simple: walks in nature, time with family, journaling. Small habits that keep me grounded.

Support right now: Connecting with other founders feels especially valuable, in the Gulf and beyond. Even a simple Zoom coffee can go a long way. And I’m always happy to share knowledge and support where it makes sense.

A huge thank you, Clémence, for sharing your voice, your resilience and reassuring words! This is why community matters more than ever: to stay connected, support one another, and keep moving forward together. Reach out to us if you need support, want to talk, or just simply want to connect. With much love, Elsbeth xx

27/03/2026

Things don’t always unfold the way you imagined. And sometimes, you simply find yourself somewhere else. Like for my book, for my events, and with my community. I really miss everyone, and us meeting up.

Watching from a distance, seeing my friends and women from our Doha community trying to pick life back up, while still nothing fully feels certain, is hard. Because even from afar, you can feel it. That quiet instability underneath everything.

At the same time, I’m in a different kind of in-between and with everything changing. I’ve mentally left one place, but I haven’t landed in the next. Life is moving, but not settled. Shifting, but not anchored.

This is an interesting kind of phase. It’s not quite “new beginnings” yet. It’s the bit in the middle. Where everything is moving like thoughts, decisions, directions but nothing is quite in place.

But I’ve learned this before: just because it feels uncertain doesn’t mean it’s not going anywhere. Sometimes, even in moments like these when everything feels paused or unclear things are quietly shifting. Such as new directions, new ideas, and opportunities we didn’t see before.

And for our community in Doha, especially now, this is where staying connected matters most. Where we’re supporting each other, where we’re sharing what’s opening up, where we’re holding space when things feel heavy. Because we don’t move through moments like this alone. Community is now more important than ever.

So for now, we’re holding steady, trusting what’s unfolding, and staying close to each other, wherever we are in the world. Because even when everything feels a little scattered, we’re still connected in it.

Together we keep moving forward and we’ll be sharing more voices from our community, like how we’re building our businesses through change. What has shifted, how do we deal with these uncertain times, what challenges are we navigating, how do we keep focused, and how can we support each other. Stay tuned! And in the meantime I’d love to hear how it feels for you, or how we can help you. With much love, Elsbeth xx

Where Women Connect

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