What have been the biggest challenges you’ve faced in opening Emmy Squared in the UAE?
The main challenge for any newly launched concept is finding the right location and landlord; it’s what makes or breaks a business.
Do you have any expansion plans or new concepts in development?
We plan on opening an Emmy Squared in Dubai next. As for new concepts, that’s pretty much all I know how to do. There a few amazing ones ready to roll out once I find the right space for them. Whether I’ll operate them under my group or franchise them is another story, though.
What is the secret behind building brands that people love?
I don’t know if I’d call it a secret, but I love seeing people enjoy themselves regardless of whether I was involved in the creation of that concept or not. When you’re focused on giving your customers the best experience possible, the brand sort of just falls into place.
What drives and motivates you?
Time motivates me, particularly being in control of my own time. I’ll find a way do almost anything, so long as that “anything” comes with the freedom to use my time as I see fit.
What is your business/life motto?
Before getting into anything, I always ask myself: what’s the worst that could happen? If I accept the risks then I’m all in. If I don’t, I walk away and never look back.
About author
Rita Ghantous
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector. Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC). She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book. She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter. Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler. It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
