The Lighthouse Conversations with Hashem Montasser

Episodet

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  El Primo’s Jonathan Colin on trading 10 years in fine dining for a taco place & the supper club that paid for it​ 08.09.2026 47min

  “I could have opened Mediterranean. Japanese. Anything I already knew how to run. But my heart wasn’t going to be in it.”Jonathan Colin, founder of El Primo, spent seven years at LPM Dubai and two at Zuma Abu Dhabi — long enough to know exactly how to open another one of those. He opened a taco place instead. Casual and self-funded, nothing like the concept he was trained for.​Six months in, El Primo is one of the hardest places to find a table in Dubai.​​Jonathan tells Hashem about the two years he gave up his own living room to cook Mexican food for strangers, why he turned down investors so the idea stayed his, and what a Mexican chef recognises in Beirut.​
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  “I observe. I document. And more recently, I speak my mind.”​ Hani AlMalki on Dubai’s F&B reset, credibility over clout, and a restaurant career built without a restaurant​. 04.06.2026 56min

  Hani AlMalki — aka Bedouinfoodie — returns to podcast for a second sit-down, and it lands nothing like the first.​ When war hit the region, he started writing: a daily diary on his Instagram Stories that became required reading for Dubai’s food community, built on the one thing most creators trade away early: credibility.​ The conversation runs through the reset Dubai‘s restaurant scene needed, why comfort food wins in uncertain times, how AI became his trial chef, and the business model he built inside other people‘s restaurants.​
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  “If you tell me we're not going to build, then probably replace me. There is no need for having me.” Karim Awad on leading EFG Hermes mid-revolution, a decade of building, and why legacy is measured by what remains after you leave​ 01.04.2026 53min

  Karim Awad walked into EFG Hermes at one of the most turbulent moments in Egypt's recent history — a company caught mid-revolution, a bruised brand, and a region that wasn't sure it wanted to stabilise.​ What he did next is what this conversation is about.​ Karim and Hashem talked about the two years of firefighting that most people never saw — before the decade of expansion that everyone did. About the quiet conviction that drove him to turn a pure-play investment bank into a full-fledged financial services group. And about the question we found most interesting: how does Karim measure success?​ His answer surprised Hashem.​ Chapters: 0:00 Coming up.. 3:48 The firefighting phase 13:57 Expanding regionally and cementing the brand 23:37 Acquisitions and partnerships 32:19 Growth and future aspirations 43:51 Shareholder expectations 47:05 Personal legacy
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  Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte on the Soul of Space and Collectible Design​ 16.02.2026 50min

  “I really wanted to slow things down… to create an experience where people take their time, build relationships, and connect with design in a more human way.”​ Nicolas Bellavance-Lecompte has spent fifteen years living out of a suitcase, experiencing the quiet palazzos of Venice as well as the bustling streets of Beirut. He sits down with Hashem to share how his way of life and thirst for travel have inspired Nomad, a design fair that trades the noise of transactional fairs for the soul found in historic architecture. ​ ​They dive into the intentional revival of Abu Dhabi’s Terminal 1 for Nomad's Middle Eastern debut, the cultural renaissance currently sweeping the Middle East, and why, in our digital-heavy world, we’re all just looking for a reason to put down our phones and experience real connections.
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  “Going into a new market requires humility. You don’t know the market well, and you have to accept that.” 12.01.2026 44min

  In this year-in-review episode, Hashem looks back on 2025 and what it actually took to open two restaurants in Riyadh in one year.​ It’s a conversation about going up the learning curve fast, staying humble, and why consistency always outlasts hype.​​ Chapters: 0:00 Coming up... 6:13 Navigating Expansion into Saudi Arabia 10:01 Understanding Local Market Differences 13:44 The Impact of Social Media 21:19 The Role of Technology in F&B 25:12 Seeking Balance in a Digital World 35:43 What comes next? 39:19 Keith McNally's book
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  “The day I stopped being a ‘Googler in Dubai’ and started being ‘Lynn, who happens to work at Google,’ everything changed.”​ 17.10.2025 42min

  Lynn Hazim, founder of Middle Child and creator of popular food blog @nosoupforyou, shares her journey from corporate life at Google to building her own restaurant in Dubai. The episode explores her early love for food, the roots of her inspiration, and her bold pivot to entrepreneurship. Lynn talks candidly about the challenges she faced funding the business and how she was determined to create a concept that felt true to herself. She shares how Middle Child in essence became the physical expression of her curiosity and creative restlessness.
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  “It’s not enough to just have good taste.” Rajat Malhotra on building the last major independent festival in the GCC 10.09.2025 39min

  Raj Malhotra, co-founder of Sole DXB, shares the story behind building one of the GCC’s last major independent festivals — a cultural platform born from minimal capital yet lots of passion and grit. The episode traces his journey to meeting co-founders Hussain Moloobhoy and Joshua Cox, and how their shared love for fashion, music, food, and design helped shape the DNA of Sole DXB. Raj reflects on the drive for excellence that fuels the festival each year, their commitment to empowering homegrown businesses in the UAE, and what it means to create a cultural space that can fuel the region’s growth.
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  “I’m competing with white space”: Heba El Gabaly on designing the future 11.06.2025 1h 2min

  Heba El Gabaly, co-founder and CEO of Efreshli, discusses her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship, scaling a tech-driven design-led business, and the importance of blending online and offline experiences. The episode explores her unique blend of leadership, what it felt like to bring on a co-founder and her mission to make quality design accessible to everyone. Chapters 0:01 Coming up… 2:36 The Efreshli journey 3:11 Building a business online vs offline 7:21 The Challenges of Entrepreneurship 8:53 First Customers and Social Media Success 14:15 Navigating VC Funding 19:31 Men vs Women Entrepreneurs 25:21 Bringing in a co-founder 35:16 Scaling and expanding Efreshli 38:47 The Impact of AI 47:42 ‘Good design companies sell taste’ 53:26 Expanding Efreshli to the UAE & Saudi Arabia 57:13 Creating keeps you young
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  Abdullah Alajaji on the real estate market opportunities in the UAE & Saudi Arabia 09.05.2025 12min

  Abdullah Alajaji, founder of  Driven Properties, shares his insights into the real estate markets of Dubai, the growth of the Saudi Arabia market, as well as the company's expansion into China and Spain.
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  “I saw a massive gap in institutionalizing the real estate process. And I wanted to take a crack at it.“ Abdullah Alajaji on identifying market gaps in real estate and playing the long game 15.04.2025 1h 7min

  This week on The Lighthouse Conversations, Hashem sits down with Abdullah Alajaji, Founder of Driven Properties, to discuss his meteoric journey in real estate. Tune in as they discuss taking personal risks, how he spotted a gap in the UAE real-estate market, and how Driven Properties successfully navigates an ever-evolving business landscape.
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  "People walk in as strangers and leave as family. That is what Bait Maryam is all about." Chef Salam Dakkak on honoring her mother’s legacy through every single dish. 07.03.2025 47min

  Hashem is back this month with Chef Salam, the Chef-Operator of one of the UAE’s most popular restaurants,  Bait Maryam. Chef Salam shares the journey behind her success and how she slowly built up her business from the ground up while honoring the legacy of her late mother. She also explores the evolution that led to her starting Sufret Maryam, the sister of her original brand and the many lessons learned thus far.
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  “The region is going through a renaissance within the creative industry that we very much want to be part of.” Sultan Al Darmaki on bridging silos in the creative ecosystem, and finding that right balance to keep being inspired. 30.01.2025 46min

  Hashem Montasser sits down with Sultan Al Darmaki, founder of 1833, an exclusive members’ club redefining community spaces and activations. Sultan shares his journey so far—from his unorthodox approach to fashion, how he felt working in London to the creation of 1833, a space that bridges the worlds of entrepreneurship and creativity.Don’t miss this inside look at the vision behind 1833 and the moments that shaped Sultan’s career thus far.
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  “The Middle East is the best market for all luxury brands worldwide” Rami Al Ali on bridging cultural divides, redefining Arab luxury, and the evolution of modern identity through couture. 24.12.2024 1h

  Hashem is back this month with the ever-inspiring Rami Al Ali. Together, they explore the evolution of Arab couture, from breaking stereotypes to redefining luxury on a global stage. Listen in as they swap stories about navigating tradition and modernity, and that unforgettable moment Rami realized the world was ready for a new wave of Arab designers.
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  Teaser: Rami Al-Ali 21.12.2024 1min

  Hashem sits down with acclaimed Syrian fashion designer Rami Al-Ali. Tune in this week to hear about Rami’s journey from Damascus to the global fashion stage.
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  “Luxury isn’t just about products that are crazy expensive.” Samir Aghera on navigating heritage abroad, celebrating the spirit of nomadism, and redefining the essence of luxury experiences. 07.11.2024 47min

  Hashem and the ever-stylish Samir Aghera delve into the dynamic world of luxury retail, discussing Hashem’s aesthetic vision for The Lighthouse and Samir’s keen eye for detail at Montroi. Listen in as they share insightful anecdotes ranging from Samir’s first pop-up and that unforgettable moment when a customer was this close to swiping the card! 
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  Faiza Bouguessa on the process behind multiple annual collections, learnings and regrets 10.10.2024 10min

  Fashion Entrepreneur Faiza Bouguessa on the design process behind Bouguessa‘s annual collections and why she can’t imagine doing anything else!Watch the full episode in your podcast app before this one, or on YouTube.Chapters00:00 The intense fashion production cycle03:41 Bespoke designs05:36 Bouguessa’s target customer06:35 Menswear!07:38 Faiza’s regrets
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  “I have a vision of leaving a legacy with this brand” Faiza Bouguessa on her journey through the world of fashion, being true to her vision, and leaving a legacy for the Middle-East 19.09.2024 47min

  Hashem is joined this week by accomplished fashion designer Faiza Bouguessa. The two consider the trials and tribulations of founding a successful business, and the importance of finding an authentic design aesthetic for one’s brand. Influenced by vintage elegance, Faiza discusses how Bouguessa is a display of her own unique, minimalist style, and why she aims to create timeless pieces that resonate with her true self-expression.Links:Fashion designer Yasmine Yeya on being inspired by Egypt’s beauty and landing Jennifer Lopez as a customerBokja ladies Huda Buroudi and Maria Hibri on why storytelling is central to their brand imageChapters:00:00 Coming up..08:25 First career at Emirates09:19 The fashion bug 13:11 The business case for modest fashion23:09 Hiding behind her brand25:44 Beyoncé30:54 The fashion production cycle36:23 Faiza’s regrets39:32 The future of Bouguessa43:43 Is Dubai the New York of today?45:30 10 years of Bouguessa
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  Teaser: Faiza Bouguessa 17.09.2024 1min

  This week on The Lighthouse Conversations, Hashem is joined by the talented fashion designer and Creative Director of ‘Bouguessa’, Faiza Bouguessa. Tune in this Thursday to hear about her topsy-turvy journey from willing her eponymous fashion brand into existence to Queen B wearing her designs.
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  Avni Doshi and Hashem Montasser on gaps in the UAE literary scene 22.08.2024 5min

  Host Hashem Montasser chats with our latest guest, Avni Doshi, author of the award-winning novel ‘Burnt Sugar’ about the literary community in the UAE. They talk about some of the current programs and the need for institutional support for literary work.
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  Avni Doshi on her creative writing process and how she deals with her book ‘graveyard’ 15.08.2024 11min

  Award-winning author of ‘Burnt Sugar’, Avni Doshi shares her creative writing process as she works on her second book. She also shares the differences between her new book and the writing of her debut novel, ‘Burnt Sugar’.