I believe that if you don't have systems, you don't have a business - you simply have a job for yourself. My challenge has been to build those systems in a new restaurant setting.
The best moments of my working life are when I find people who are passionate about what they do. That happens a lot in film, and it's an exciting experience that creates its own energy. I think that underlying care and passion is key in any successful company.
The creative aspect is the most rewarding for me. By that, I mean seeing a concept come to life. It's the part where I sit in my restaurant Tabun Kitchen on a Friday night, listen to the buzz and see the delight on people's faces as they eat, soaking in and enjoying the atmosphere.
I've picked passion-driven businesses where I create a concept, or produce a film, from scratch. You have to be tenacious to overcome the constant objections.
I think the standards for food service and quality keep going up, which is exciting. With my restaurant Tabun Kitchen, I wanted to give guests freshly cooked, high-quality ingredients at a reasonable price and I think we've found a way to do it.
My grandfather was an exceptional entrepreneur and philanthropist who moved from Palestine to Jordan and created an amazing group of companies. In a world where women were expected to get married and stay at home, he encouraged me from a very young age to get involved in business and work. He always took me with him on visits and I would spend my holidays at his office, running errands for him and observing what he did each day.
