In a world where ambition is often loud and hurried, some journeys begin quietly—born from an inner shift, a private awakening, a moment of clarity that changes everything. For Maryam Almannai, the founder of NADRA COSMATIC and one of the most inspiring emerging voices in Middle Eastern entrepreneurship, that awakening came in 2023 when she made a decision that would redefine her identity, her future, and the woman she was becoming. It wasn’t a leap taken in certainty, but a step taken in courage.
“When I left my job, I realized that if I didn’t take responsibility for my own future, no one else would,” she reflects. “I wasn’t running away from something, I was running toward the version of myself I knew I could become.”
It was in November that her entrepreneurial journey formally began, but its roots stretch deeper, into a lifetime of responsibility, discipline, and the vision she always carried quietly within her.
A Calling That Grew With Her
Unlike many entrepreneurs who speak of a defining moment, Maryam’s sense of leadership grew steadily, shaped by years of small decisions, private doubts, and unexpected confidence from others. She recalls how people began seeking her guidance even before she fully believed in her own vision.
“That’s when I understood something important: leadership isn’t about having everything figured out. It’s about having the courage to build while others are still doubting.”
Raised with values that formed the foundation of her character, Maryam embraces three core principles that still guide her today—responsibility, discipline, and vision. She is, as she says, still building and still learning, but she now sees the path ahead with clarity. She may not be where she wants to be yet, but she knows exactly where she is going.
Her greatest fear was never failure; it was reaching a later stage of life and realizing she never tried. So she rose above fear the only way real growth allows—by moving anyway. “Progress doesn’t come from confidence,” she says. “It comes from consistency.”
Building NADRA COSMATIC: A Brand With Intention
Maryam’s first business concept was sparked by a simple yet powerful belief: beauty should feel personal and meaningful. She built everything from the ground up—researching ingredients, speaking to suppliers, shaping the brand’s identity, and ensuring every detail aligned with her standard of excellence.
Those early days taught her that foundations matter. Even today, as she continues expanding the brand, those first lessons inform the strategic and intentional approach that defines her entrepreneurial philosophy.
Managing everything alone was one of her biggest challenges, yet it became her greatest training ground. With no team, no roadmap, and no shortcuts, she learned to understand every layer of her business, from operations to branding to vision-setting. “It taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of long-term thinking,” she shares.
Her leadership style continues to evolve, rooted in clarity, honesty, and empowerment. She doesn’t lead through pressure, she leads through vision. She is building a culture where ideas are heard, growth is expected, and accountability is shared. What makes her approach stand out today is her refusal to chase speed; she is building a brand with intention, depth, and long-lasting impact.
Women, Leadership & The Power to Rise
As a woman entrepreneur in the Middle East, Maryam holds deep admiration for the unique strengths women bring to leadership, emotional intelligence, resilience, and strategic thinking. “We understand balance,” she explains. “Strength with empathy, ambition with responsibility. These qualities make our leadership powerful and deeply human.”
Her message to women who hesitate to take the entrepreneurial leap is simple: start before you feel ready. “You don’t need the perfect plan. You just need one clear step forward.”
Her passion for women’s empowerment comes from personal experience—knowing what it feels like to have a dream without a clear path. “Empowering women isn’t my mission,” she says softly. “It’s my contribution to the world I want to see.”
She believes many women are held back not by ability, but by fear—fear of judgment, failure, or not being enough. The solution, she insists, is building confidence through real skills, consistent action, and supportive community. “Women grow fastest when they grow together.”
Motherhood & Ambition: A Beautiful Dual Journey
Balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood is one of the most defining aspects of Maryam’s life. She doesn’t aim for perfect balance, only alignment. Some days require her to be fully a mother; others, a full-time entrepreneur. And she has learned to honor both with grace.
“My children aren’t a distraction from my goals, they’re one of my biggest reasons,” she shares. Motherhood has given her patience, emotional depth, and a strength she didn’t know existed. Much of her resilience comes from her own mother, her role model, whose example of dedication and love influences Maryam’s own parenting and leadership.
When asked how she hopes her children will one day describe her, her voice softens.
“I hope they say: ‘She built her life with courage… and she taught us to do the same.’”
Growth, Identity & Becoming the Woman She Envisioned
From November until today, Maryam’s biggest transformation has been internal. She shifted from reacting to building, from doubting to deciding. Even though she’s in the relatively early stages of her business journey, the mindset transformation has been the true turning point.
Her vision for the future is grounded and ambitious: to build a brand defined by quality, trust, and impact. She envisions herself influencing and guiding more women across the region, becoming a voice for clarity, confidence, and self-leadership. “I’m becoming a woman who leads with clarity, confidence, and contribution,” she says.
If she could speak to her younger self, her advice would be deeply compassionate: “Don’t rush your growth. Every stage is preparing you for the next.”
Recognition, Legacy & The Road Ahead
When asked what it means to be named The Most Iconic Female Personality to Watch in 2026, Maryam smiles with humility. “It means the journey I’m building quietly, consistently, is being recognized. It’s not a celebration of where I am today… it’s a reminder of where I’m heading.”
Her hope for her legacy is simple yet profound: to be remembered for bringing joy and impacting the lives of those she encounters. To her, fulfilling her Dharma, her deeper purpose—is the true measure of a life well lived.
And when she looks ahead to 2026, she sees a year filled with growth, evolution, and unexpected blessings. “I predict a lot of adventure, joy, magic, surprises, purpose-filled achievements, and intention-based goals manifesting. Bring it on.”
A Message to Every Woman Reading Her Story
“Your future isn’t waiting for the perfect moment. It’s waiting for your decision. Start building, even if you’re still figuring things out. Greatness begins with one courageous step.”
