From Saffron Dreams to Dutch Markets: Fareshta’s Journey with Delitelabs

When Fareshta Rahmani arrived in the Netherlands, her path was uncertain. With a background in pharmacy and transfusion medicine, she was eager to continue contributing her skills but legal restrictions and the realities of starting over in a new country made that impossible… at first. Through Delitelabs, Fareshta found a way to channel her expertise, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit, turning challenges into opportunities.

Background: A New Beginning in a New Country

Originally from Herat, Afghanistan, Fareshta holds a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a postgraduate degree in transfusion medicine from Groningen University. But after the Taliban takeover, life for women in Afghanistan became heavily restricted, making professional growth and independent work extremely difficult.

After I came here, I was not able to work,” Fareshta recalls. I thought, let’s do something else and learn something during my stay until I get my permit.

That determination led her to Delitelabs, discovered at a job fair in Amsterdam. "I thought this was very interesting. I can do it,” she said, joining the spring program in April.

Fareshta, presenting her Afghan saffron project at the Ben & Jerry’s showcase event.

Program Experience: Learning by Doing

Fareshta entered Delitelabs with experience running a small business in Afghanistan, but she wanted to expand her skills and explore new possibilities. During the program, she immersed herself in hands-on learning: market research, customer interviews, testing events, mentorship, and networking.

The best part of the program was the testing events, she says. "I learned a lot from getting feedback and seeing how people respond to a product. It was challenging at first to reach customers, but it taught me perseverance and communication.”

Her original business idea importing Saffron from Herat, Afghanistan wasn’t feasible immediately due to her legal status. Still, the program helped her adapt. She suggested different products, from Saffron tea for restaurants to experimenting with Saffron-infused cheese, inspired by Dutch love to cheese.

Her mentor played an important role, providing introductions to restaurants and refining her questionnaire for customer interviews. “He suggested ideas on how to present my product. It was very helpful,” Fareshta remembers.

Fareshta, sharing her vision with visitors and building connections for future opportunities.

Transformation: Confidence, Skills, and Market Insight

By the end of the program, Fareshta’s confidence had grown tremendously. She had mastered customer research, product testing, and marketing skills, and she had started a small Instagram-based business to showcase her handicrafts.

I now know how to do market research, how to run testing events, how to show my product to customers, and how to impress them, she says. “Delitelabs helped me understand my customers and gave me connections in the market.”

Mentorship as Mutual Learning: Reflections from Fareshta’s Mentor

Fareshta’s mentor, John Staunton, shared his experience working with her:

"I really enjoyed my time mentoring her, for me it was a whole new world (saffron market, processes, background) and was great to learn from her. She is very enthusiastic about her product and business, and will go a long way."

Fareshta celebrating her graduation from the UP Collective spring Program 2025.

Next Steps: Building a Future

Although Fareshta is currently waiting for her residence permit, she is planning to start her business formally in the Netherlands once she is allowed to work. She hopes to bring her Saffron products to the local market and continue growing her entrepreneurial skills.

Takeaway: Start Somewhere, Learn Everywhere

Fareshta’s story is a reminder that starting over doesn’t mean starting from scratch. With curiosity, resilience, and the right support, it’s possible to transform obstacles into opportunities.

For newcomers in the Netherlands, if you’re starting from zero, you need skills to begin, she advises. “Even if you want to work or start your own business, Delitelabs is the best place to start. You can learn a lot and start your future from here.”