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.

The Lighthouse Conversations

Apr 22 2020 | 00:35:47

00:00 / 00:35:47

Show Notes

This week, we’re joined from New York City by Chris Khalifa, founder of Zööba, an Egyptian street food concept he launched in Cairo in 2012 and took all the way to NYC late last year. Chris shares the story behind Zööba and how--after initially expanding too quickly and failing--they consolidated their business, learnt key lessons and set out to expand yet again to build what is now a successful—and some would say iconic—brand. Post recording, Chris gave us an update on the impact of the current Covid-19 pandemic on Zööba, how they are handling the crisis and the steps they’ve taken to protect the business.

Other Episodes

Episode 15

June 11, 2020 • 00:42:32

Tarik Al-Zaharna on finding his voice in the region’s architectural landscape and why friction is sometimes necessary when creating new design concepts

The Lighthouse was conceived as a design-centric brand from the outset and its founders never took its design aesthetic—whether interior, graphic or digital design—for...

Episode 3

December 04, 2019 • 00:37:17

Daneh Buahmad on juggling three careers & empowering women through her fashion designs

On this episode, we talk to Saudi designer Daneh Buahmad who launched her women’s fashion label [DANEH](https://danehdesign.com) nearly 10 years ago. Daneh takes us...

Episode 5

January 16, 2020 • 00:32:50

Orit Mohammed on launching Boon Coffee & breaking the stereotypes around Ethiopian women and female entrepreneurship

This week, we're talking coffee with Orit Mohammed, founder of Boon Coffee. Orit hails from Ethiopia and decided to reconnect with the coffee culture...