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.

See Guest List

Ahmad Al Marri

Amina Naguib

Amir Allam

Isabelle van den Eynde

Rania Masri El Khatib

Episode #74 “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.

Episode #74 “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. Diving into the joy of Guatemalan retreats and the love of Microsoft Excel, Hashem sits with Ayman Fakoussa this week to […]

Cart

The Lighthouse Conversations

Episode #74 “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.

Episode #73 “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.

Episode #72 “There is nothing wrong with romanticizing Cairo.” Mai Eldib on her book ‘Cairo Eternal’ and what makes Cairo magical.

Episode #71 “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.

Episode #70 “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.

Episode #69 “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.

Episode #68 “It’s our responsibility to keep our heritage alive.” Shereen Al-Mulla on launching Hikma Rituals, motherhood and reclaiming her heritage.

Episode #67 “Finance is riddled with emotion.” Cordoba Advisory’s Rami Sarafa on demystifying the art of investing and the importance of psychology in wealth management.

Episode #66 “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.

Episode #65 “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.

Episode #64 “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.

Episode #63 2022: Don’t Sweat the Technique

Episode #62 “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.

Episode #61 “We feel a trend before it becomes mainstream.” The Bokja founders on why storytelling is central to their brand image

Episode #60 “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.

Episode #59 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.

Episode #58 “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.

Episode #57 “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.

Subscribe to The Lighthouse Conversation

APOTHECARY

BOOKS & STATIONARY

CHILDREN

ACCESSORIES

HOMEWARE

SORT BY

SEARCH BY BRAND