There is a new wave of female leaders and entrepreneurs transforming the narrative of women's empowerment in the region. Taiba Alhumaidhi, the visionary behind Kuwait-based Lei Wa Lakom, stands at the forefront of this movement. Through culturally relevant initiatives like the Wellness Diwania and financial literacy programs, Lei Wa Lakom is not only addressing the specific needs of the next generation of female leaders and entrepreneurs but also fostering a stronger sense of community and resilience.
In a candid conversation, we discuss the challenges and triumphs of building a social enterprise from the ground up, explore how Lei Wa Lakom empowers women through its initiatives, and uncover the profound personal insights gained on this remarkable journey.
Haitham Diab (H.D.): Launching a platform as ambitious as Lei Wa Lakom undoubtedly comes with its unique set of challenges. What was the single most unexpected hurdle you encountered during the initial stages of bringing your vision to life, and how did you personally navigate or overcome it?
Taiba Alhumaidhi (T.A.): One of the most unexpected and complex hurdles was simply defining what Lei Wa Lakom is. As a social enterprise—something quite new in the Kuwaiti ecosystem—I found myself operating in uncharted territory. There was no clear blueprint to follow, and I had to build the structure as I went.
I was constantly asked, “Is this a media platform? A non-profit? A research hub?” And the answer is: all of the above. Lei Wa Lakom produces original media, but it’s also deeply rooted in research, advocacy, and community engagement. Balancing those elements while communicating a clear and cohesive identity to the public was, and still is, one of the greatest challenges.
To navigate it, I had to get comfortable with being misunderstood at times—and trust that clarity would come through consistency. I leaned into storytelling, made room for evolution, and stayed focused on our core purpose: creating content and initiatives that spark dialogue and drive impact in the region.
(H.D.): Given Khaleejesque's readership, which includes a significant percentage of younger women (18-34), how does Lei Wa Lakom tailor its initiatives, such as the Wellness Diwania and financial literacy programs, to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the next generation of female leaders and entrepreneurs in the Gulf?
(T.A.): At the start, I had to ask myself what does empowerment actually mean in our context? How do we move beyond buzzwords to create something truly impactful? That required research and a lot of listening. I studied what initiatives already existed, identified the gaps, and focused on what was missing — particularly for women navigating the unique cultural, social, and economic realities of our region. I was one of them!
Everything we do at Lei Wa Lakom — from the Wellness Diwaniya to our financial literacy programs — is designed to be applicable, accessible, and culturally relevant. I’m always asking questions, either during interviews, events, or workshops. I want to understand what women are really facing, especially the things they feel afraid or ashamed to talk about. There’s no shortage of information out there, but the key is in how you tailor it — how you deliver it in a way that speaks to women here, in their own language, with their lived experiences in mind.
That’s how we empower; not by handing out generic advice, but by creating safe spaces, offering practical tools, and meeting women exactly where they are.
(H.D.): You've emphasized the importance of storytelling in Lei Wa Lakom. In what ways do you believe sharing the unfiltered journeys and challenges of inspiring women through your platform can foster a stronger sense of community and resilience among women in the Gulf?
(T.A.): One thing I’ve noticed is that many stories we hear from prominent women often highlight their successes, while quietly brushing past the real, raw challenges they faced. I’ve always wondered if that was intentional, or did the production team simply not feel it was necessary to linger there? And even when a challenge is mentioned, where’s the solution? Where’s the moment of vulnerability that others can truly connect with?
At Lei Wa Lakom, we try to go deeper. When we interview someone, we ask questions that uncover not just the turning points, but also the struggles, the doubts, the lessons learned. And if we don’t cover everything in the interview, we make sure there’s a door open — whether that’s through a follow-up event, a workshop, or just the ability to reach out to us. Accessibility is part of our ethos.
We also deeply value the network we’re building — women who aren’t just inspiring, but also generous with their stories and insights. Because in the end, we’re all facing similar challenges. Sharing them honestly, and even laughing about our mistakes together, builds a sense of community and resilience that’s far more powerful than polished narratives alone.
(H.D.): As a Kuwaiti entrepreneur, how do you see Lei Wa Lakom contributing to the evolving narrative of women's leadership and economic empowerment within Kuwait and the wider Gulf, especially as the region embraces more diverse and innovative approaches to professional development?
(T.A.): Lei Wa Lakom is, in many ways, a response to a growing need — not just for representation, but for meaningful engagement. As the region opened up to more diverse and innovative approaches to leadership and development, I saw a gap: a space where women could speak openly, learn practically, and feel seen beyond titles or token success stories.
I was actually going through that myself when I decided to launch Lei Wa Lakom.
We’re contributing to this evolving narrative by offering women tools, platforms, and spaces that reflect their reality. Whether it’s through financial literacy workshops, mental health talks, or intimate interviews with trailblazing women, we focus on real, applicable knowledge — not just inspiration.
What makes our approach different is that we treat economic empowerment as multi-dimensional. It’s not just about starting a business or getting a promotion. It’s about confidence, access to information, financial independence, and being part of a community that supports your growth — personally and professionally.
By grounding our work in local culture while staying open to global ideas, Lei Wa Lakom bridges the gap between what is and what’s possible for women in the Gulf.
(H.D.): The name "Lei Wa Lakom" (For Me and For You) suggests a reciprocal relationship. On a personal level, what has been the most fulfilling "for me" aspect of building and leading Lei wa Lakom, something you've gained or learned about yourself through this journey?
(T.A.): Choosing the name Lei Wa Lakom was a moment of deep reflection. It took an entire day of brainstorming with my team to find something that truly captured the essence of what I wanted to create. And yes — putting “for me” first was very intentional. As women, we’re often conditioned to put everyone else ahead of ourselves and settle for whatever is left. I wanted to challenge that. To remind myself, and others, that our voices, our growth, and our well-being matter — not after the fact, but first.
What has been most fulfilling for me is how much I have grown through this journey. I didn’t expect it to be so transformative. I’ve learned that I had unconscious biases, that I lived in a bubble — even with all my reading, traveling, and exposure. Creating and leading Lei Wa Lakom has forced me to confront those blind spots and grow through them.It’s also made me bolder. More confident. And more curious than ever. I’m not speaking at my audience — I’m learning with them. Whether it’s a guest interview or a financial literacy workshop, I walk away from each experience having gained something new. That mutual growth — that’s the heart of Lei Wa Lakom.
(H.D.): Looking back at the very first steps of conceptualizing Lei Wa Lakom, if you could give your past self one piece of advice – be it practical or philosophical – what would it be?
(T.A.): I would say: don’t overthink it — just do what feels right for you. In the beginning, I doubted myself a lot. I second-guessed decisions, tried to perfect every step, and sometimes ended up with results I wasn’t particularly proud of. But the turning point came when I started trusting my vision and listening to my instincts.
The moment I stopped trying to meet everyone else’s expectations and started leading from a place of authenticity, everything changed. I’m proud of what I’ve built because it reflects something real — not just an idea, but a purpose. So if I could go back, I’d simply remind myself: trust yourself. It’s okay to start imperfectly — just start.
For more information about Lei Wa Lakum, visit www.leiwalakom.com
Images courtesy of Lei Wa Lakom
