Featured SME
Media 21
May 15, 2025
Media 21 Journey: After leading a major global brand in Dubai as CEO, Rajesh launched a company in Oman with a clear mission: to bring world-class service to the local market. Backed by deep regional experience, he quickly built a strong record of success.
Origin and Challenges: Like many service-based businesses, Media 21 faced challenges with cash flow during its early stages. Balancing daily operations, efforts to scale, and building a customer base was complicated amid changing economic conditions.
Expansion Plans: Media 21 focuses on expanding into new media areas, particularly by developing an Outdoor Media Network. They are investing in infrastructure and forming partnerships to enhance audience engagement in Oman.
Beehive Funding Success: Beehive’s business funding offered them fast, hassle-free funding without collateral—ideal for service-based SMEs like Media 21, which helped them manage their cashflow challenges.
About Media 21
Media 21 is an advertising and media company passionate about crafting campaigns that connect brands to audiences in meaningful, impactful ways. Media 21 offers a full spectrum of integrated media services, from creative direction and brand strategy to execution across traditional and digital platforms. They pride themselves on delivering high-quality, innovative media solutions that help businesses grow, influence, and lead in their markets.
Find out more about Media 21
Q&A with Rajesh Raman
Managing Director, Media 21
How did the company start?
After years of experience as CEO of a major global brand headquartered in Dubai, I saw a gap in the local Omani market for world-class media services that matched the standards of leading regional players. I launched Media 21 with a clear vision: bring top-tier advertising and media capabilities to Oman, tailored for local businesses but built on international benchmarks. Our roots may be local, but our mindset is global.
From all the challenges that a new business could encounter, what would you list as the top three?
Like many businesses, our biggest hurdles came down to three C’s:
Customers: Building trust and a solid client base takes time, especially in a market where long-term relationships matter.
Cashflow: A common challenge for service businesses, especially in the early stages. Managing day-to-day operations while scaling quickly can stretch resources.
Continuity: Sustaining momentum and consistency in economic shifts and industry evolution has required agility and persistence.
What are your business plans for the next 12 months?
We’re preparing for an exciting chapter of growth. Our focus is expanding into new areas of media, with a special emphasis on developing a robust Outdoor Media Network. We’re investing in infrastructure, creating new partnerships, and pushing boundaries in terms of how and where media connects with audiences in Oman.
What advice would you provide to someone who is considering turning their passion into a business idea?
Be bold. Be patient. Passion is your fuel, but it needs to be paired with resilience and strategic thinking. Don’t be afraid to take calculated risks; remember, success rarely comes overnight. Lay the foundation, stay consistent, and trust the process.
About the funding: Media 21’s experience with Beehive
How did you find Beehive?
I initially approached Beehive with a degree of doubt. The idea of fast, collateral-free funding sounded too good to be true. But I was quickly proven wrong. The process was refreshingly smooth and efficient, with a quick turnaround that made a real difference for us.
What was it like before you used Beehive?
Before Beehive, trying to secure financing meant paddling through layers of paperwork, jumping through bureaucratic hoops, and dealing with long waiting periods. Traditional routes didn’t align with the speed and agility that our business needed to grow.
Why did you choose Beehive for funding? What features contributed to your decision to use Beehive?
One of the key factors was the experience I had with my Relationship Manager. Their willingness to understand my business, not just the numbers on paper, was critical. They offered a tailored financial solution, not a one-size-fits-all approach. That kind of personalization and insight made all the difference.
How did you find the process? How did it compare to other options, such as bank loans?
Compared to traditional banks, Beehive’s funding process is built for modern businesses, with no collateral, minimal red tape, and a team that moves at the pace of entrepreneurs. For service-based SMEs like ours, that kind of flexibility is a game-changer.
What advice would you give to business owners considering funding? Would you recommend Beehive to other businesses seeking finance?
Absolutely. Beehive is an innovative, 21st-century solution for business finance. If you’re running a company and need funding that aligns with today’s fast-paced environment, this is a platform you can trust. I recommend it to other business owners who want to grow without being slowed down by outdated processes.
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