We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mariam Ramoul. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mariam below.

Mariam, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

In the name of God, the most Merciful – بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

Before I begin, I want to emphasise that I wholly attribute all my successes to God first, then to those who shaped me into the woman I am today.

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My parents are immigrants from Tunisia who came to America with nothing but their bright minds and an unwavering belief in the opportunities this country offers. It was their intelligence, resilience, and mindset that allowed them to build successful businesses over the years. Growing up, my father taught me the value of entrepreneurship—whether it was selling candy at school or toys at our local mosque—while my mother showed me how to market and scale a business, drawing from the experiences of their own ventures. They instilled in me the belief that America is the land of opportunity, and as a result, I learned to see potential in everything, including my passion for archery.

Although I’d researched starting an archery business many times, I always encountered more obstacles than solutions, and eventually, I tabled the idea. That is, until a few years later when I had an enlightening conversation with a close friend and mentor. One day, I asked her if she wanted to try archery, and after an enthusiastic “yes,” I taught her the basics. After our session, she told me I was a natural teacher and suggested I start an archery business. I immediately voiced my doubts.

“But I don’t have the capital,” I said.

“Start with what you have,” she replied. “Many businesses make the mistake of overspending before they even start.”

“But there isn’t demand…”

“There’s demand for everything,” she countered.

And many more doubts, which she answered one by one.

That night, my friend Irene sent me a draft for a website and, with her encouragement, I began to see past my fears and doubts. That week, Rimaya Archery was born. I was overjoyed when I received my first lesson request—even though all I had were my personal bow and arrows. Turns out, that was all I needed to get started.

From that moment, my business began to grow. Archery is an individual sport, but one of my primary goals was to create a sense of community—especially for beginners who may not have anyone else to share the experience with.

Looking back, that day with Irene was a pivotal turning point, not only in turning my idea into a reality but in realizing the importance of surrounding yourself with people who uplift and inspire you. A successful business, I’ve learned, isn’t just about the bottom line—it’s about the people you surround yourself with. I can’t take full credit for Rimaya’s success; it’s a reflection of the incredible instructors, volunteers, and students who contribute their time and energy to this vision. It’s a team effort, and when your team is happy and supported, your business will thrive.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

From a young age, I had a deep love for archery, a sport that my religion encourages. My father often quoted the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: “Teach your children swimming, archery, and horseback riding.” I learned to swim because it was accessible, and I learned to ride horses while living in Tunisia. But the dream of mastering archery remained unfulfilled for years.

My inspiration to pursue archery grew stronger after reading The Hunger Games, where Katniss Everdeen’s resilience and skill with the bow left a lasting impression. Determined to start, I whittled my own simple flatbow and tried to make my own arrows, though they weren’t very effective. This excitement only deepened after watching the Turkish series Ertuğrul, which tells the story of the father of the first Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. It was clear to me—I had to start, and I had to commit.

As a student with limited funds, I had to be resourceful. I scraped together $27 and ran to my mother, showing her the link to the cheapest bow I could find at the time. For a target, I used a cardboard box on top of a cooler with a hammer inside to keep it stable. And so, my real archery journey began.

I practiced tirelessly—whenever I had free time, even between classes. I watched YouTube videos to improve my form and technique and sought out other archers to learn from. When I got my first job, I used my first paycheck to treat my parents, and the second one went towards buying a new bow. After a few years of dedicated practice, I began volunteering to teach at my mosque and giving paid lessons on the side.

While archery can be an expensive sport, I learned how to make it more affordable with creativity and persistence. I started with limited resources, no formal guidance, and plenty of trial and error—but I was determined. That’s why, with Rimaya Archery, my mission is to shorten that learning curve for others. I want newcomers to have access to a supportive community, a personalized learning plan, and expert guidance from experienced archers, so they don’t have to face the same challenges I did.

I’m incredibly proud of my journey in archery, and I’m grateful for the resilience that carried me through. The sport has not only been a personal achievement but has also led me to a wonderful community of like-minded individuals who share my passion. It has been an incredible journey—one of my greatest accomplishments to date—and I can’t wait to see where it leads next.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I believe what has helped build my reputation within the market is the combination of delivering high-quality instruction and creating a strong sense of community around Rimaya Archery. Over time, I’ve been fortunate to receive some of the best reviews locally, which reflect not only the technical skill and knowledge we provide but also the care and attention we give to every student. At Rimaya, we prioritize creating a welcoming, supportive environment where both beginners and experienced archers feel like they belong.

Our instructors are dedicated to more than just teaching technique—they genuinely care about each individual’s journey and growth. This focus on personal connection, along with our tailored learning plans, has made a huge difference in how we’re perceived within the community. People recognize that we’re not just a business, but a place where passion, patience, and support come together to help others thrive. Building relationships, fostering trust, and ensuring that every student feels valued has been key to our success and reputation.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

When I first started Rimaya Archery, I actually did the opposite of what many would expect—I had very little capital to work with. I didn’t have a large initial investment. Instead, I used my last pay check from my job to cover the cost of registering the business and I already had my personal bow and arrows, which I used to give lessons. My focus in those early days was on keeping expenses as low as possible, even if it meant stepping out of my comfort zone and learning new skills.

For example, I taught myself how to design a website and handle marketing, all of which helped keep costs down while still allowing the business to grow. As I started earning money from lessons, I reinvested that back into the business, whether it was buying new equipment, improving the space, or refining the services offered. I was fortunate to have great advice from both my parents and my mentor, who urged me not to overspend in the beginning. They emphasized that sustainable growth comes from making smart, cautious decisions—and that advice has been invaluable.

In the end, starting with minimal capital and reinvesting as I went along helped me build Rimaya Archery slowly but steadily. By being patient and strategic with my resources, I was able to grow without the financial strain that many small businesses face.

Contact Info:

• Website: RimayaSports.com
• Instagram: RimayaSports
• Facebook: Rimaya Archery
• TikTok: @RimayaSports