Welcome to The Lighthouse Conversations
Thank you for checking out The Lighthouse Conversations, a podcast featuring entrepreneurs & tastemakers from the world of arts, culture, tech and food. Welcome to The Lighthouse Conversations 0:00
Hashem Montasser
Founder, The Lighthouse and Host, The Lighthouse Conversations.
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“Design: If it’s well done, it’s an emotional experience.” Museum of the Future’s Brendan McGetrick on technology and curiosity as human experiences
The Lighthouse Conversations: Brendan McGetrick 0:00 / 0:00 1× 🧡This episode is brought to you by: MonViso, use code LIGHTHOUSE10 for a discount on your next purchase. Our guest
“We feel a trend before it becomes mainstream.” The Bokja founders on why storytelling is central to their brand image
Bokja founders Huda Baroudi & Maria Hibri share hilarious anecdotes of their journey and how they’ve built an iconic brand over 25 years.
“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
We caught up with Ashraf Hebela in a multi-faceted episode discussing cultural hybridity, market declines, serial founders and more. Ashraf heads Startup Banking, plus Analytics & Sales Ops at one
“There was instinct and learning-as-you-go, no playbook.” Aramex founder Fadi Ghandour on building a heritage company
Fadi Ghandour is the co-founder of Aramex, Wamda Capital and the non-profit Ruwwad for Development.
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“Success is not only measured by financial results but also by cultural relevance.” Ahmad Al Marri on why community support was crucial to Canvas Gelato’s success
Hashem speaks to Ahmad Al Marri, founder of Dubai-based ice cream brand Canvas Gelato.
“Everyone has written off Dubai at one point.” Dubai Tourism CEO Issam Kazim on how Dubai bounced back post-pandemic
Hashem and guest host Samantha Wood aka FooDiva catch up with Issam Kazim, CEO of the DTCM, which helped catapult Dubai from the early pandemic days to the other side of lockdown. They also talk about the impact of MENA’s 50 Best Restaurants and The Michelin Guides on the F&B and tourism sectors.
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“Energy and lots of seasoning…that’s nafas.” Chef Mohamad Orfali and his sensational culinary pivot from TV chef to award winning restaurateur
Hashem catches up with Mohamad Orfali, TV celebrity chef extraordinaire, restaurateur and co-founder of the award winning Orfali Bros restaurant in Dubai.
“I’ve always been a strong believer in offering financial services to the unbanked.” Mounir Nakhla on turbo-charging growth at Halan
Mounir shares snippets of his journey since 2017 when he was approached by Indonesian tech unicorn Gojek, then being struck by the pandemic in 2020 and what it meant for Halan’s growth.
“The issue with progress is that it’s seldom linear.” Nadia Wassef on life after publishing a debut memoir
This week, we reunite with a previous guest; author and friend of The Lighthouse, Nadia Wassef. Since our first episode with Nadia, her well received debut memoir Chronicles of a
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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
Hashem and Anoud Alzaben discuss her process; the rural and bedouin roots that continue to influence her work; and their shared appreciation for journaling– whether classically with ink and paper or visually via Instagram Stories.
“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
This week we sit with Stasha Toncev, founder of Dubai’s award-winning Balkan bistro, 21 Grams. Hailed in the media, Stasha’s restaurant was praised as “charming” and “brain melting” by The Financial Times supplement, How To Spend It, and Bill Addison, the Los Angeles Times’ celebrated food critic.