EP 845 Wayel Al Wohaibi - How to do Good Business - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 5th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and its future.

In this final episode of a five-part series, Lee and Wayel discuss key strategies for building a successful specialty coffee business.

Wayel shares insights on the importance of not competing with your customers, offering support and financial consulting, and maintaining high standards of quality.

He highlights the challenges faced in the coffee industry, such as imitation products, and the necessity of collaborating with trusted distributors.

The episode underscores the significance of creating a holistic premium experience for consumers and not compromising on quality.

Tune in to gain valuable knowledge from Wayel's experiences and learn how to build a sustainable and respected coffee business.

EP 844 Wayel Al Wohaibi - The Future of Saudi as an Origin Country - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 4th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and its future.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Wayel delve into the historical significance of coffee in Jazan, recent government initiatives like Vision 2030, and the challenges and potential of Saudi coffee as a burgeoning origin.

Wayel shares personal anecdotes, the importance of quality control, and comparison with Yemeni coffee.

The episode emphasizes the growth of specialty coffee in Saudi Arabia and the vision for its future on the world stage.

EP 843 Wayel Al Wohaibi - Running a Business in Saudi - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 3rd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and its future.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Wayel delve into the unique coffee culture of Saudi Arabia.

They discuss the traditional methods of coffee preparation, the differences across the Middle Eastern region, and the impact of the specialty coffee industry.

Wayel shares personal anecdotes about his upbringing and the rituals of serving coffee, as well as insights into the specialty coffee market and Sulalat's approach to roasting and customer service.

They also talk about the entrepreneurial spirit in Saudi Arabia and the involvement of business owners in the coffee industry.

Stay tuned for the next episode where they will explore Saudi Arabia as an emerging coffee origin.

EP 842 Wayel Al Wohaibi - Discovering The Saudi Cultural Palate - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 2nd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and its future.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Wayel discuss the Saudi specialty coffee market and the unique challenges faced in catering to different cultural palates.

Wayel shares his journey from tasting specialty coffee abroad to establishing a successful coffee brand in Saudi Arabia.

They delve into the nuances of customer preferences, the impact of coffee auctions, the role of cultural and genetic differences in flavor profiles, and the importance of creating region-specific cupping forms.

This insightful conversation also touches on the differing views of quality within the global coffee industry.

EP 841 Wayel Al Wohaibi - The Genesis Saudi Specialty Coffee - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the first of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Wayel Al Wohaibi, co-founder of Sulalat based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Map It Forward Founder, Lee Safar, and Wayel discuss the genesis of the Saudi specialty coffee market and it's future.

In this episode of the podcast series, Lee and Wayel discuss the journey of Saudi Arabia's specialty coffee industry from its inception to its promising future.

Wayel, a retired software engineer with a deep passion for coffee, shares how his hobby turned into a significant business, navigating challenges like coffee supply, infrastructure, and meeting customer demands.

Join us for an in-depth conversation about launching a specialty coffee business in Saudi Arabia, the importance of cultural palette, and building relationships with farmers.

EP 840 Osamah Alawwam - The Opportunities Ahead In Specialty Coffee - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 5th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this final episode of the series, Lee and Osamah discuss the critical challenges and opportunities faced by the coffee industry, particularly in the Middle East.

They address the alarming forecast that coffee may disappear by 2050 due to climate change and geopolitical issues.

They speak about the significant decrease in coffee production, the urgent need for sustainable agricultural practices, and the role of innovative methods like co-fermentation in improving coffee quality.

The conversation also covers initiatives in Saudi Arabia to grow resilient coffee varieties and the potential for regenerative agriculture.

Osamah shares his hopes for the future and emphasizes the importance of solving the root causes threatening coffee production.

EP 839 Osamah Alawwam - Middle Eastern Culture and Business in Coffee - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 4th of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the series, Lee and Osamah discuss the cultural barriers and challenges faced by business owners in the Middle Eastern specialty coffee industry.

They cover difficulties such as initiating customer interactions across genders, the impact of cultural awareness, and the importance of owner involvement in the success of businesses.

The episode also touches upon the role of social media in the coffee industry and delves into generational business dynamics and the complexities of entrepreneurship.

EP 838 Osamah Alawwam - The Challenges of Doing Business In The Middle East - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 3rd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, Lee Safar and Osamah discuss the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the Middle Eastern business ecosystems.

They explore issues like saudiization, the global financial crisis, and the impact of COVID-19 on the coffee industry.

Osamah shares insights on how the coffee business can navigate difficulties, adapt to logistical issues, and embrace local talent.

Additionally, they highlight the cultural challenges of employing locals in roles such as baristas and the immense professional growth available within the coffee industry.

Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics shaping the Middle Eastern coffee scene and valuable lessons on resilience and innovation.

EP 837 Osamah Alawwam - Building The Roasting House - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the 2nd of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode of the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast, Lee and Osamah discuss how he built the Roasting House business with a vision to elevate coffee standards and spread specialty coffee culture.

From starting with a small shop to creating a community-driven coffee scene, Osamah shares insights on the role of education, market research, and the impact of the Saudi Vision 2030 on business development.

Join us as we explore the challenges and triumphs of establishing a successful coffee business in the Middle East.

EP 836 Osamah Alawwam - A Coffee Entrepreneur In Saudi Arabia - Map It Forward Middle East Podcast

This is the first of a five-part series on the Map It Forward Middle East Podcast with Osamah Alawwam, co-founder of The Roasting House based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

In this series, Osamah and Lee explore the challenges of running a business in the Middle East.

In this episode, Lee Safar introduces Osamah Alawwam from Roasting House, a significant figure in the Middle Eastern coffee industry.

Osamah shares his entrepreneurial journey, discussing how he transitioned from the corporate world to starting his own coffee business in Saudi Arabia.

He emphasizes the importance of finding the right financial and intellectual partners, and the challenges he faced in sourcing quality green beans.

The conversation also touches on the evolving business landscape in Saudi Arabia and the impact of global geopolitical events on the coffee industry.