Rising Stars: Meet Nour Ben Hmieida

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nour Ben Hmieida.

Hi Nour, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Running Oea Bakery with my mom was a surprise I never expected! I informally started selling our baklava back in 2019 while I was still in college. I used to sell our Libyan baklava to my professors and peers and at a small local Farmers Market in a tiny college town where most people didn’t know much about Middle Eastern culture.

At that time, it was a way for me to transition from a medical career path to entrepreneurship. Initially, this side hustle was meant to fund mentorship and my first business idea. However, I never ever thought it would become its own business 2 years later. One thing I knew for sure though is that whatever business venture I pursued I wanted to make sure it helps support my family and give back to my home country, Libya.

When I graduated and moved back to Colorado where my family lives, demand grew for our Libyan baklava. After 3 failed business ideas and receiving requests to continue making our Libyan recipe, that’s when my mom and I teamed up to form Oea Bakery in 2021.

“Oea” is an ancient name for the city we are from in Libya, and we chose this name to reflect the rich and beautiful heritage of our home country. Our company started out of nostalgia for our home country, Libya, which we haven’t visited for over 10 years and we’re hoping to keep its memory alive by spreading its beauty and treats through our company.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The ride of starting Oea was not always a smooth one. Though demand picked up right away when we first officially launched in 2021, we came across challenges like rising costs to produce products and acquiring new customers. However, we’re so grateful to have a supportive community that has kept us going through the tougher times.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Our one goal with our company is to share the beauty of our Libyan culture through our rich Libyan baklava and desserts. Baklava is a dessert that has been around for thousands of years and many cultures make it. However, you’ll notice that many people don’t know about the Libyan recipe. Each region has historically used ingredients that are local to their area to create their own unique recipe, which is why the baklava you’ll eat in Turkey is different from the one in Libya!

We’re huge on honey in Libya and almonds are abundant in North Africa. That’s why the traditional Libyan recipe only uses high-quality honey (not mixed with any sugar syrups) and almonds for the filling. The combination of flavors and the quality of ingredients we use in Libya makes for a very rich, decadent experience that sets it apart from other recipes.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
The Alchemist is a classic I read at the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey that’ll always inspire me. In addition to that, I also reference Islamic books and lectures to guide me in making business decisions and uphold my values and ethics in business.

Contact Info:

• Website: oeabakery.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oea.bakery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oeabakery
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@oeabakery6114