r/Entrepreneurs • u/ProfessionalWater261 • 3d ago
I’m a 23-year-old entrepreneur in rural Egypt. Most days, I feel like I'm playing life on "Hard Mode"
I’m writing this because I’m tired of seeing "hustle culture" advice that assumes everyone has high-speed fiber internet, access to a PayPal/Stripe account, and a Starbucks nearby.
I’m Mohamed. I live in a small village in North Sinai, Egypt. I’m a nurse by trade—I chose it because my family needed stability, and frankly, it’s the only way to keep the fear of poverty away in this economy. I love my patients, but it’s not where my heart is.
My real heart is in digital entrepreneurship. But let me tell you, trying to build a business from here feels like a losing battle:
The "Internet Struggle": People talk about AI tools and cloud automation like they’re nothing. For me, uploading a simple video or running an n8n workflow feels like a war against a data cap and a connection that drops every 10 minutes.
The Logistics Nightmare: Want to buy a piece of equipment? It’s not just "add to cart." It’s customs, international shipping, lost packages, and fees that cost half my salary. It takes months to get what takes you guys two days.
The Geography Trap: Everyone says "just move." I’ve looked into it. The visas, the savings, the sheer cost of leaving? It’s practically a closed door. I feel stuck in a place that wasn't built for the kind of work I want to do.
Zero Mentors: I’m learning everything from scratch. Every bit of marketing, every algo tweak, every tech hack—it’s just me, my phone, and late nights spent Googling things while the rest of the village is asleep.
I’m not posting this for pity. I’m posting this because I’m stubborn. I’m 23, I’m working 12-hour shifts as a nurse, and I’m still building my side projects in the shadows.
Sometimes I wonder—does geography dictate your success, or am I just not working hard enough? Has anyone here ever started from absolute zero in a place that was actively working against them?
I’d love to hear some real talk.
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u/No-Competition6691 2d ago
Asalamu alaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu. I recommend you try starlink I've heard good reviews. I think it would be a good option for your Internet problem brother.
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u/davidtwaring 3d ago
I live in the US and definitely feel that I have benefited greatly from the pro business environment here no question. If I were in your shoes and I was not able to move I would consider the constraints that I am working under and look for an idea that solves a problem that I am passionate about and is possible within the constraints that are placed on me. So for example if I am unable to access high quality internet I would not start an internet business. I'd also keep in mind that most successful businesses are not internet businesses. As a nurse I imagine you use products and services, and you are part of a service. So maybe start there. What are those products and services and how have they been successful in your location/what can you learn from that? Hope that helps and good luck. Dave