Embracing Cultural Awareness and Leadership: Our Journey to Support Red City Solutions

Last week, our team at StudioBordo had the privilege of traveling to Morocco to meet with our friends Ayoub and Mouncef, founders of the soon-to-be-launched company Red City Solutions. This dynamic duo is working on a business that focuses on web design, graphic design, and social media marketing. We spent two days together in a vibrant coworking space in the heart of Marrakech, discussing their vision and how we could help them turn their ideas into reality.

During our time in Marrakech, we dove deep into their dreams, sketching out plans on paper, outlining strategy, and exploring the potential of Red City Solutions. As we worked through the details, one important lesson emerged: there comes a time when you have to put down the pen and paper and "bouge"—the French word for move. It became clear that while strategy is essential, it can only take you so far. Real success requires taking action, implementing theory into practice, and driving forward with the courage to make things happen.

Leadership Strategy: Beyond Theory

We often emphasize leadership strategy at StudioBordo, helping people plan and think critically about their work. But as we reminded Ayoub and Mouncef, strategy alone is not enough. A solid plan is only valuable if it’s followed by meaningful action. We encouraged them to take bold steps, not just in their business but in their personal leadership as well. Leadership is a balance of planning and doing, and the process of transformation comes from putting ideas into motion.

Cultural Awareness in Business

One of the most enriching aspects of our conversations was the exploration of cultural differences between Western business practices and those in the Arab world. While it may seem that business is business everywhere, cultural contexts are crucial. In our discussions, we addressed how concepts like honor and shame play a central role in Arab societies, driving decisions and influencing how relationships and business deals unfold.

In the Arab world, honor and shame culture often demands that honor be visibly demonstrated through wealth, property, or material achievements. These symbols of success serve as proof of one's honor in society. This contrasts with the Western approach, where failure is often seen as a learning opportunity and is generally more accepted as part of the process of growth and innovation. In Western cultures, individuals are often allowed to fail without permanent stigma, and success can be seen as a result of trial and error rather than material validation.

We discussed how critical thinking can help Ayoub and Mouncef navigate these cultural nuances. By understanding the deep-rooted societal expectations around honor, they can shape their business strategy to align with both their personal values and the cultural context in which they operate. Critical thinking, we emphasized, is not only essential in business—it’s a vital tool for examining the forces that drive us in life.

At the heart of it all, we reminded them that our God-given worth is the ultimate source of honor. This perspective—focusing on intrinsic value over external achievements—can guide their approach to leadership and business in ways that resonate deeply with their cultural context.

Encouraging Leadership Development and Social Responsibility

Our time in Morocco wasn’t just about business strategy or graphic design training—it was about leadership development. At StudioBordo, we are passionate about helping our neighbors, whether they live next door or across the Mediterranean. If we want to create something of lasting value, we believe in supporting others, even if their cultures or ways of doing business are different from our own.

Respecting cultural differences and championing the success of those around us is not just a business principle—it’s a responsibility. Ayoub and Mouncef are putting in the hard work to create a business that will serve their community, and we’re proud to stand with them. They’re ready to take their dreams to the next level, and we’re excited to see Red City Solutions thrive.

Shout out to Red City Solutions—keep an eye on their journey by following them on Instagram: @redcitysolutions.