The Lighthouse Conversations with Hashem Montasser
By The Lighthouse
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Category: Society & Culture
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Subscribers: 2
Reviews: 0
Episodes: 101
Description
Hashem Montasser, Founder of the The Lighthouse Restaurant & Concept Store in the UAE, is a raconteur who avidly follows the work of arts, culture, technology and, of course, food. In a series of conversations aimed at introducing its audience to the Middle East’s entrepreneurial landscape, Hashem asks his guests about their life journeys, inspirations, successes and failures and everything in-between.
New episodes available every second Thursday.
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| Episode | Date |
|---|---|
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“When I see everybody walking in a certain direction, I like to choose the other path” Hamad Al Awar on juggling founding burger brand 'High Joint', being a police officer, visual animator and father
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Mar 21, 2024 |
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Teaser: Hamed Al Awar
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Mar 19, 2024 |
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"Dubai is like a millefeuille. There are layers and layers." Mohamed Maktabi on the rich history of his family’s business 'Iwan Maktabi' and his passion for storytelling through the intricate artistry of carpets
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Feb 15, 2024 |
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Teaser: Mohamed Maktabi
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Feb 12, 2024 |
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2023: (It Goes Like) Naaaaaah
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Jan 19, 2024 |
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Episode #79 Teaser: 2023 - (It Goes Like) Naaaaaah
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Jan 18, 2024 |
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2023 Throwback: Ayman Fakoussa on launching The Qode, balancing friendship with business, and why he can’t let go of Excel
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Jan 05, 2024 |
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“Not everybody is going to like me. I’ve accepted that.” Mariana Wehbe on her remarkable journey from a corporate job at DHL to becoming a PR powerhouse and founding WE Design Beirut
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Nov 30, 2023 |
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Bonus: Tom Arnel on pivoting their 20,000 sq.ft. concept, The Guild, during the pandemic
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Nov 30, 2023 |
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Episode #78 Teaser: Mariana Wehbe
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Nov 28, 2023 |
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“I try to remember often that this is the greatest experience of my life” Tom Arnel on the thrill of building purposeful spaces and managing stress in a high-level role
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Nov 16, 2023 |
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Episode #77 Teaser: Tom Arnel
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Nov 15, 2023 |
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“I learned what absolute zero feels like.” Hassan Sheheryar Yassin on starting from zero, conquering fear of failure and a serendipitous meeting with William & Kate.
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Oct 19, 2023 |
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“My father eats, sleeps, and breathes design.” Nakkash on its 40th anniversary as a family-run business, the future of collectible design in the UAE, and passing the baton from one generation to the next.
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Oct 05, 2023 |
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“The thrill of the chase has always been my thing.” The Lighthouse friend Ayman Fakoussa on launching The Qode, balancing friendship with business, and why he can’t let go of Microsoft Excel.
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Sep 21, 2023 |
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Summer Throwback: HE Zaki Nusseibeh on the importance of storytelling in building identities
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Aug 31, 2023 |
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Summer Throwback: Ahmad Al Marri on launching Canvas Gelato against the odds and why community support was crucial to his success.
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Aug 17, 2023 |
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Summer Throwback: Myrna Ayad on the evolution & perception of Middle East art (2019)
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Aug 04, 2023 |
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“As a Khaleeji guy, I had to prove myself over and over.” Meshary AlNassar on finding his footing as a designer, navigating interior design trends and the benefit of having a good eye.
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Jul 07, 2023 |
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“There is nothing wrong with romanticizing Cairo.” Mai Eldib on her book ‘Cairo Eternal’ and what makes Cairo magical.
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Jun 23, 2023 |
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2022 Throwback: Anoud Alzaben on the process of creating and immortalizing ephemeral tablescapes.
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Jun 09, 2023 |
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“You can’t lead with arrogance.” Natasha Sideris on taming ambition, striving for balance as a restaurateur, and why there’s no way she’ll open in Greece.
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May 25, 2023 |
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“Depriving me from Arabic was limiting” Publisher Yasmina Jraissati on unlocking the potential of the Arabic language and how she accidentally became a rebel with a cause.
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May 11, 2023 |
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“A dish is like a door into an entire people.” Nouri restaurant’s Ivan Brehm on his passion for “crossroads” cooking and the best advice he ever received.
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Apr 29, 2023 |
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Bonus: Ice baths and social media, with Shereen Al-Mulla
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Apr 20, 2023 |
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“It’s our responsibility to keep our heritage alive.” Shereen Al-Mulla on launching Hikma Rituals, motherhood and reclaiming her heritage.
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Apr 14, 2023 |
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“Finance is riddled with emotion.” Cordoba Advisory’s Rami Sarafa on demystifying the art of investing and the importance of psychology in wealth management.
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Mar 30, 2023 |
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“To look at buildings you have to peel away the signage then reconstruct.” Mohamed Elshahed on tracing Cairo’s human experience, one building at a time.
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Mar 10, 2023 |
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“Artists are the last truth sayers.” Sunny Rahbar on having a front row seat to Dubai’s art scene propelling itself onto the global stage and the unlikely rise of The Third Line in its midst.
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Feb 23, 2023 |
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“When you do something right, everyone comes to you.” Ayman Baky on grit, perseverance in the F&B industry, and reshaping Egypt’s restaurant culture.
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Feb 09, 2023 |
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2022: Don’t Sweat the Technique
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Jan 26, 2023 |
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Welcome to The Lighthouse Conversations
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Jan 11, 2023 |
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2022 Throwback: Stasha Toncev on her improbable journey from Belgrade to Dubai and the importance of mental health for entrepreneurs
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Dec 29, 2022 |
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2022 Throwback: Mohamad Orfali on traditions, storytelling & mulukhiya
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Dec 22, 2022 |
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“Design: If it’s well done, it’s an emotional experience.” Dubai’s Museum of the Future’s Brendan McGetrick on technology and curiosity as human experiences.
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Dec 01, 2022 |
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“We feel a trend before it becomes mainstream.” The Bokja founders on why storytelling is central to their brand image
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Nov 17, 2022 |
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“You should prepare for the right type of luck to find you.” Silicon Valley Bank’s Ashraf Hebela on the value of a long-term mindset in startup investing.
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Oct 27, 2022 |
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Part II: “In fact, my brain was not black or white, it was supremely colourful.” Aramex founder Fadi Ghandour on the limitations, risks and rewards of building a heritage company.
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Oct 13, 2022 |
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Part I: “There was instinct and learning-as-you-go, no playbook.” Aramex founder Fadi Ghandour on the limitations, risks and rewards of building a heritage company.
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Oct 06, 2022 |
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Summer Throwback: Youssef El Deeb on his creative journey across media platforms
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Aug 25, 2022 |
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Summer Throwback: Mohamad Ballout on positioning Kitopi as a global brand
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Aug 11, 2022 |
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“Success is not only measured by financial results but also by cultural relevance.” Ahmad Al Marri on launching Canvas Gelato against the odds and why community support was crucial to his success.
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Jul 28, 2022 |
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“Everyone has written off Dubai at one point.” Dubai Tourism CEO Issam Kazim on how Dubai bounced back post-pandemic and what lies ahead for its culinary scene.
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Jul 14, 2022 |
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“Energy and lots of seasoning…that’s nafas.” Mohamad Orfali and his sensational culinary pivot from TV chef to award winning restaurateur…and what makes a really good mulukhiya!
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Jun 30, 2022 |
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“I’ve always been a strong believer in offering financial services to the unbanked.” Mounir Nakhla on turbo-charging growth at Egypt’s leading FinTech startup Halan
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Jun 16, 2022 |
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“The issue with progress is that it’s seldom linear.” Nadia Wassef on narrative structure, trafficking in nostalgia and life after publishing a debut memoir.
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Jun 02, 2022 |
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“I can figure out your personality by walking around your space.” Anoud Alzaben on the process of creating and immortalizing ephemeral tablescapes.
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May 12, 2022 |
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“I’m half woman, half to-do list!” Stasha Toncev on her improbable journey from Belgrade to Dubai and what it took to launch Balkan bistro 21 Grams
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Apr 21, 2022 |
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“The Michelin Guides are consistent; one star in Dubai equals one star in Paris” Michelin Guides’ Gwendal Poullennec debunks urban legends surrounding the iconic restaurant guide which just announced its Dubai chapter
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Apr 07, 2022 |
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Part II: MENA's 50 Best Restaurants Outlook & Predictions with Claudia de Brito and Samantha Wood “It’s not a pay-to-play kind of list.”
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Mar 25, 2022 |
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Part I: MENA's 50 Best Restaurants Behind the Scenes with Claudia de Brito and Samantha Wood “The fact that we have this list is a vote of confidence for the MENA region.”
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Mar 25, 2022 |
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“If you want to employ more women, design your workplace around it.” Rania Masri El Khatib’s call to arms for female employees is loud and clear.
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Mar 10, 2022 |
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“You can’t force a talent to go into production.” Cyril Zammit on Dubai’s evolving design landscape, the role of government support and the future of NFTs.
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Feb 24, 2022 |
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“Most of the time I’m right when it comes to food.” Bedouinfoodie Hani AlMalki on the multi-cultural cuisine of the Hijaz region, why Saudi’s culinary scene is about to pop and the real origins of Hummus
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Feb 09, 2022 |
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2021: A Podcast Odyssey
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Jan 28, 2022 |
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“Food is an open ended problem, we’ll never perfect it.” Amir Allam, Founder of Egypt’s biggest food discovery platform Elmenus on his obsession with problem solving & how he will meet his biggest challenge yet - building Elmenus to scale.
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Nov 25, 2021 |
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“Investors look for traction and Founder’s pedigree.” Ramy Adeeb shares his journey from computer science to building his own venture capital firm, 1984 Ventures
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Nov 10, 2021 |
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“Success in design means finding a good recipe and dreaming big.” Design wunderkinder David & Nicolas on 10 years as a successful brand and what makes their partnership click.
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Oct 28, 2021 |
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“Investing is about proving a thesis.” Feras Jalbout on the nascent investing culture in the region, crypto currencies and launching his trading app Baraka
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Oct 14, 2021 |
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“Barbeque is an analogue experience.” Hattem Mattar on the subtle science of live fire cuisine and why he finally made the jump to a full time gig
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Sep 30, 2021 |
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“Nothing is more important than the founder.” Khaled Talhouni on his journey from venture capital to supporting startups with Nuwa Capital
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Jul 22, 2021 |
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“I had a feeling of hybridity that I wanted to both capture and express” Hashem Montasser on his journey from Wall Street to building The Lighthouse from the ground up
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Jul 08, 2021 |
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“When it comes to homegrown concepts in Dubai, this is only the beginning.” Sandy El Hayek on Dubai’s F&B scene & how to play it for the long haul
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Jun 17, 2021 |
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“The artist’s box doesn’t have to be small or exclusive.” Maha Maamoun on her multidisciplinary art practice and the importance of making art accessible to a wider audience
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Jun 03, 2021 |
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“Curiosity is a blessing and a curse.” Manal Ataya on why curiosity became an essential trait in navigating her career as museum director.
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May 19, 2021 |
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‘Preserving our heritage is to preserve ourselves.’ Designer Nada Debs on the inspirations of hybridity & true craftsmanship, plus creating her own contemporary design language.
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Apr 08, 2021 |
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‘For a review, I have to be in the right state of mind.’ Samantha Wood AKA FooDiva on her restaurant review process, Dubai’s F&B scene & the ONE review that broke the internet.
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Mar 25, 2021 |
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“I use my shows to make a statement,” gallerist Isabelle van den Eynde on her curatorial techniques, working with Emirati artist Hassan Sharif and the challenges of showing art through the pandemic.
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Mar 10, 2021 |
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‘If your concept isn’t differentiated, you’re selling hot air.’ Samer Hamadeh on his mission as an F&B owner/operator and how to develop an edge.
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Feb 24, 2021 |
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‘Every act of reading is historical,’ Nadia Wassef on the art of reading vs. the craft of writing, and the business of founding Diwan, one of Egypt’s most popular modern book stores.
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Feb 03, 2021 |
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Helen Farmer on evolving into a social media influencer & mompreneur yet maintaining a work-life balance while in the public eye
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Jan 21, 2021 |
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2020 in the Rearview Mirror
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Jan 13, 2021 |
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“You need to have a niche and really invest in yourself.” Tariq Khayyat on architecture in the region; working with Zaha Hadid; and his advice for aspiring architects
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Dec 16, 2020 |
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Gear your life towards more than one legacy,’ Michelin Star Chef Daniel Boulud on wearing multiple hats to turbocharge a successful multi-decade career
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Dec 03, 2020 |
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"You can't be noticed unless there is sincerity in your work." Fashion designer Yasmine Yeya on being inspired by Egypt’s beauty, landing Jennifer Lopez as a customer, and debunking the overnight success myth
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Nov 18, 2020 |
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“I'm not going to measure somebody by whether or not they've had a show at the MoMA,” Maya Allison on her curatorial techniques and how she forged a successful artist-curator bond ahead of the UAE Pavilion at the 2022 Venice Biennale
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Nov 05, 2020 |
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“Life is beautiful” has become a personal philosophy for me.’ Fatafeat founder Youssef El Deeb on his creative journey across media platforms, and the Arabic saying that became his life’s calling.
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Oct 21, 2020 |
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"We don't have pills for eating disorders." Eating Disorder expert Carine El Khazen on signs for the early detection of mental health issues, and how to cope with the collective trauma of the pandemic.
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Oct 07, 2020 |
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“You’re not investing in my husband, you’re investing in me” Bulkwhiz Founder, Amira Rashad, on navigating the entrepreneurial landscape as a woman.
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Sep 23, 2020 |
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Hashem Montasser on lessons he learned from his first year of podcasting and why content is always king
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Sep 09, 2020 |
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Zeina El-Dana on the changing face of PR and why female mentorship matters
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Aug 26, 2020 |
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Richard Windsor on the implications of breaking up Big Tech, why Apple and Google are surprisingly similar, and what the Tik Tok fuss is all about.
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Aug 12, 2020 |
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Debra Kletter on creating magical “food experiences” for her clients and why flavors have memory
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Jul 29, 2020 |
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Raja Al Mazrouei on Dubai’s fintech initiative and why she’s betting on a digital banking future
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Jul 15, 2020 |
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Nelio Leone on how Italian grannies are the ultimate weapons of mass surveillance & why privacy concerns should be on everyone’s mind
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Jul 01, 2020 |
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Tarik Al-Zaharna on finding his voice in the region’s architectural landscape and why friction is sometimes necessary when creating new design concepts
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Jun 11, 2020 |
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Louis Lebbos on why we haven’t yet seen a superagency in the region & supporting local entrepreneurs
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May 28, 2020 |
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Hashem Montasser and Hany Bassiouny on adapting The Lighthouse’s strategy for the post-Covid-19 era and why thought-leadership in F&B is more pressing than ever
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May 14, 2020 |
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Chris Khalifa on pivoting from investment banking to F&B by starting Egyptian street food icon Zööba and learning key lessons after initially failing fast and hard.
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Apr 22, 2020 |
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Amina Naguib on B_URN taking Cairo by storm & building a lifestyle business centered around physical and mental well-being
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Apr 08, 2020 |
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Vilma Jurkute on developing Alserkal Avenue into an arts & culture hub by taking risks on risk-takers
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Mar 25, 2020 |
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Zaki Nusseibeh chronicles his personal journey with art & the importance of storytelling in building identities
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Mar 11, 2020 |
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Reif Othman on propelling Zuma into one of the world’s most celebrated restaurants and on launching his own, Reif Kushiyaki
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Feb 26, 2020 |
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Mohamad Ballout on how to capitalize on being a first mover & positioning cloud kitchen pioneer Kitopi as a global brand
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Feb 12, 2020 |
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Isobel Abulhoul on building book centric businesses & instilling reading habits in children
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Jan 29, 2020 |
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Orit Mohammed on launching Boon Coffee & breaking the stereotypes around Ethiopian women and female entrepreneurship
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Jan 16, 2020 |
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Patrick Rogers on how startup founders can avoid common pitfalls
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Dec 21, 2019 |
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Daneh Buahmad on juggling three careers & empowering women through her fashion designs
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Dec 04, 2019 |
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Myrna Ayad on the evolution & perception of Middle East art
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Nov 20, 2019 |
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Pre opening diaries
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Nov 20, 2019 |
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Introducing: The Lighthouse Conversations
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Nov 09, 2019 |