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.

Episode 12 April 22, 2020 00:35:47
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
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.

Apr 22 2020 | 00:35:47

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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.

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