Rama Chakaki: Founder of Mint + Laurel

In the exciting business world, Rama Chakaki, a Tech investor, advisor and founder, stands out as a powerful force, leaving her impact as one of the co-founders of Mint + Laurel. She's a trailblazer in women's entrepreneurship and leadership, showcasing strength, vision, and a knack for overcoming challenges. Hailing from the historic cities of Hama and Damascus, Rama Chakaki, a Syrian-American, her story starts with a unique background and early education that set the stage for her extraordinary journey.

Rama’s Educational Journey and Expertise 

Rama Chakaki holds a certificate in Designing for Social Systems from Stanford University, showcasing her commitment to integrating design thinking into social impact initiatives. Additionally, she earned a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering and a Master's in Engineering Management from George Washington University. This diverse educational background reflects Rama's multidisciplinary approach, combining technical expertise with management skills, a potent combination for her tech entrepreneurship and philanthropy roles. Dr. Paul Nemirovsky who is a Lead Cyber Architect explained the extraordinary abilities of Rama:

“In the group of leading technology marketing leaders, Rama is in the class of her own, with her unlimited creativity, energy, brand-development focus, customer focus, attention to details, unique marketing intuition, human touch, and global perspectives and sensitivity.”

A Syrian-American Mompreneur of Two

Rama, a tech entrepreneurship and philanthropy pioneer, traces her roots back to Syria, her cherished motherland. She proudly calls herself a mompreneur as she is a working mom and relates to the struggle of working women in tech. Growing up in the rich cultural tapestry of Syria, Rama's journey began with a foundation in primary education that would set the stage for her remarkable path. Her early aspirations led her to set ambitious goals, especially as a pioneer in women's entrepreneurship and women's leadership. As a prominent figure, Rama's story unfolds as a beacon of inspiration. She is a Syrian-American mompreneur and an aspiring chef.

An interesting Inception of  Mint+Laurel

Mint+Laurel has three founders: Rama,Kinda andMai. How they met and put this idea together is a conspiracy of a universe.In 2013, Rama attended a benefit event for Syrian children in the US, where she met Kinda Hibrawi, known for her beautiful calligraphy and imagery portraying Syrian youth. They both connected over a shared vision to encourage women's entrepreneurship and leadership. Later, fate brought them together after so many years in a Southern California hotel lobby. With Kinda's design background and Rama's social impact business, they both formed a powerful duo.

Not just that, when Kinda discussed this vision with her friend Mai Barazi, who has extensive experience working with refugees in Bangladesh, Yemen, and Syria, she turned out to be a perfect co-founder for the launch of Mint+Laurel. Mai’s proactive approach, financial contributions and dedication to volunteer work resonated well with Rama and Kinda.. This is how their one vision for promoting women entrepreneurship and women leaders became a 3-way partnership.

After Mai contacted Rama about her nonprofit programs supporting Syrian youth, they convened on Zoom to discuss their new business. The rest, as they say, is history! With their collective efforts, they launched Mint+Laurel.

Mint + Laurel: Empowering Women and Promoting Women Leadership

Cultural Fusion

Mint + Laurel beautifully weaves Syrian heritage and modern design, creating a fusion that sets its products apart. The Los Angeles-based company procures handmade, organic, and environmentally friendly products directly from Syria. 

Social Impact Core

The brand is not just about products; it's about impact. A social impact business model drives Mint + Laurel. From supporting youth impacted by conflict through the VIP.fund to embodying sustainable and ethical practices, the brand is creating meaningful change.

Empowerment of Women

With co-founders like Rama Chakaki, Kinda Hibrawi, and Mai Ibrahim, Mint + Laurel embodies the strength and capability of women entrepreneurs and leaders. The brand showcases its talents and empowers women through its ethos and representation.

Inspiring Storytelling

The brand goes beyond products by telling a compelling story. From the serendipitous meeting of co-founders to the deep roots in Syrian culture, Mint + Laurel's Brand is committed to bringing clean products that smell, feel extraordinary, and give back. 

Innovative Designs

Mint + Laurel's products are not just items but art pieces. Kinda Hibrawi's design background infuses creativity and innovation into the products, offering customers a unique and aesthetically pleasing experience. Mint + Laurel imports artisan-crafted, vegan, organic soaps made with traditional Syrian ingredients and essential oils—Damask Jasmine and Rose, Kassab Bay Leaf, Aleppo Tulip, and Amber Musk with Oud. One bar takes a year to cure.

Rama Chakaki: Achievements in Tech, Venture Philanthropy, and Social Impact"

An entrepreneur at heart, Rama is a partner at Transform VC in Silicon Valley; Rama plays a pivotal role in enabling women tech entrepreneurs to impact lives and the environment through investments in deep tech. Demonstrating a commitment to social development, Rama founded VIP.fund, a venture philanthropy fund investing in youth programs and technology startups. Her involvement in the Women Angel Investment Network (WAIN) and contributions to organizations like TechWadi, PCRF, PACES, The Impact HUB – UAE, Challenge to Change, and Nakhweh highlight her dedication.

Rama's impactful journey is acknowledged in esteemed publications such as Forbes, Bloomberg, the Monitor, and Arab Women Rising. Her story is also featured in "The Power of Presence," a book by Joy Moore and a publication from the Wharton School of Business.

Image Source: rama.chakaki.com

Empowering Futures: Rama Chakaki's Impact Across Tech 

In the world of women entrepreneurs and leaders, Rama Chakaki emerges as a guiding light of inspiration. Her path, deeply rooted in her background and propelled by defined objectives, showcases the immense potential of women in influential roles. As we contemplate Rama’s life and achievements, it underscores the profound impact that determination, innovation, and leadership can have. Women entrepreneurs and leaders, including Rama Chakaki, persist in shaping the future with their resilient spirit and steadfast dedication. Ernest Lee defines Rama’s hard work as:

“Working with Rama was exhilarating. Rama not only understood the requirements of her leadership and the skill of her job, she lived them. Rama is extremely intelligent, focused, skillful, and diligent.”