In this episode of Those Who Wander, I’m joined by Nassib Sawaya, co-founder of Koonoo Coffee, to unpack what it really takes to build a brand from the ground up. We talk openly about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship — from finances and hard decisions to the emotional toll of creating something you deeply believe in.

We also dive into the world of specialty coffee: what sets it apart, how it’s made, and what it takes to build a coffee brand from scratch that is up to par and does specialty coffee justice. It’s an honest conversation about passion, perseverance, and the realities behind the cup.

Are you as healthy as you think you are?

In this episode of Those Who Wander, I sit down with Hisham Jaber, Founder of The Healthy Home, to uncover what “living healthy” really means — beyond diet and workouts. We talk about his journey as a founder, how Covid reshaped his business, and the hidden truth about the air we breathe and the spaces we live in.

You’ll be fascinated by some of the facts he shares about Dubai’s environment — and inspired by his story of resilience, reinvention, and purpose. This episode will make you rethink what a truly healthy life looks like.

Food is life — and for me, gathering around it is where the real bonding happens. That’s why I loved this episode with Jo Kheil, Founder of Jo’s Kitschen and Co-founder of Trés Amis. Through wit, sarcasm, and laughter, we dive into her journey from the fast-paced world of media to culinary school and supper clubs, slowly trading in the 9–5 for her true passion.

Jo opens up about the highs and joys, but also the loneliness, burnout, and struggle of balancing personal and entrepreneurial life. We swap stories, lessons, and plenty of tips on staying focused and organized — while also lifting the curtain on the secret struggles so many founders quietly carry.

Watch until the end for the surprise question from Esther Perel's epic cards game.

In this episode of Those Who Wander, I sit down with Fares Lteif and Sami Moutran, co-founders and co-CEOs of Fluuky — where luxury meets philanthropy. What began as a simple desire to pamper themselves grew into a venture that blends indulgence with impact.

Fares and Sami open up about the realities of entrepreneurship: burnout, random ideas, navigating partner contracts, and the risks that come with putting friendships and family ties on the line. We also discuss what kind of support is truly needed to reach a level where you can sustain building a venture.

From the joy of creating something meaningful to the inevitable burns along the way, this is a candid look at what it takes to chase — and keep chasing — a vision you believe in.

In this episode, I sit down with Flora Castillon — Founder, Leadership & Mindset Coach — to explore a journey that begins at rock bottom and leads to deep transformation.

Flora opens up about burning out in the corporate world, facing financial uncertainty, and feeling completely lost — only to rebuild from that place and find her true calling. We talk about the power of mindset, the mistakes and breakthroughs along the way, and how she turned her experience into a community, or "sisterhood" as she calls it, that now supports other women on their own paths.

It’s a conversation about navigating life through resilience, reinvention, and leading with heart.

In this episode, I sit down with Nadine Mezher, co-founder of Sarwa — the groundbreaking investment and personal finance platform born in Dubai. Nadine shares her inspiring journey as a mother, a serial entrepreneur, and a bold disruptor in the financial industry. We dive into the challenges and triumphs of building a business, the realities of being a woman in finance, and what it means to balance ambition with motherhood, and death, yes, you read it right. Stay tuned til the end!

In this episode, Jad Halawi, co-founder of Washmen, shares his journey from leaving a stable career in the oil and gas industry at 26, to launching one of the region’s most recognized laundry startup in Dubai, to navigating the realities of running a business.