Adel Sajan

We didn't touch a billion, but we did about 700 million. So we grew from 128 to 700 in five years. But most importantly, For me, when I took over, we were at minus 10 net. This is not EBITDA, this is net. And by 2020, we were at 12.8% net. So there was like a 22% swing. So you went from 10 to 84 million or 90 million? From? From negative 10 million? From negative 10%.

We didn't touch a billion, but we did about 700 million. So we grew from 128 to 700 in five years. But most importantly, For me, when I took over, we were at minus 10 net. This is not EBITDA, this is net. And by 2020, we were at 12.8% net. So there was like a 22% swing. So you went from 10 to 84 million or 90 million? From? From negative 10 million? From negative 10%.

We didn't touch a billion, but we did about 700 million. So we grew from 128 to 700 in five years. But most importantly, For me, when I took over, we were at minus 10 net. This is not EBITDA, this is net. And by 2020, we were at 12.8% net. So there was like a 22% swing. So you went from 10 to 84 million or 90 million? From? From negative 10 million? From negative 10%.

Oh, negative 10% to positive 12%. Yeah, right. So from negative 10 to correct, correct. 90, 90 million. So, uh, incredible. Uh, that was the journey. And then it became my baby where, you know, it was fine. I created like, I turned it around. So it was like a success story in the company. It became a, We were one of the fastest growing home improvement retailers.

Oh, negative 10% to positive 12%. Yeah, right. So from negative 10 to correct, correct. 90, 90 million. So, uh, incredible. Uh, that was the journey. And then it became my baby where, you know, it was fine. I created like, I turned it around. So it was like a success story in the company. It became a, We were one of the fastest growing home improvement retailers.

Oh, negative 10% to positive 12%. Yeah, right. So from negative 10 to correct, correct. 90, 90 million. So, uh, incredible. Uh, that was the journey. And then it became my baby where, you know, it was fine. I created like, I turned it around. So it was like a success story in the company. It became a, We were one of the fastest growing home improvement retailers.

And the journey was very hard because when we started, when we tried to expand and I used to go to all these shopping malls, I'm like, hey, we have this concept we want to open. Keep in mind that time Dubai had these seven, eight big retail mafia families who own like 90% of retail. So each company would have like 50 brands, 40 brands. And I'm coming in with this one brand.

And the journey was very hard because when we started, when we tried to expand and I used to go to all these shopping malls, I'm like, hey, we have this concept we want to open. Keep in mind that time Dubai had these seven, eight big retail mafia families who own like 90% of retail. So each company would have like 50 brands, 40 brands. And I'm coming in with this one brand.

And the journey was very hard because when we started, when we tried to expand and I used to go to all these shopping malls, I'm like, hey, we have this concept we want to open. Keep in mind that time Dubai had these seven, eight big retail mafia families who own like 90% of retail. So each company would have like 50 brands, 40 brands. And I'm coming in with this one brand.

And then I'll be like, look, I have this concept. And the mall guy's like, oh, you wanna sell a commode in my shopping mall? Like a wash space in my shopping mall? I was like, yeah, it's unique, it's different. He's like, no way. And okay, fine. So then how do you solve that, right? It's a big road. It's a huge roadblock because how are you going to expand if the malls say no?

And then I'll be like, look, I have this concept. And the mall guy's like, oh, you wanna sell a commode in my shopping mall? Like a wash space in my shopping mall? I was like, yeah, it's unique, it's different. He's like, no way. And okay, fine. So then how do you solve that, right? It's a big road. It's a huge roadblock because how are you going to expand if the malls say no?

And then I'll be like, look, I have this concept. And the mall guy's like, oh, you wanna sell a commode in my shopping mall? Like a wash space in my shopping mall? I was like, yeah, it's unique, it's different. He's like, no way. And okay, fine. So then how do you solve that, right? It's a big road. It's a huge roadblock because how are you going to expand if the malls say no?

And we pivoted by opening massive standalone showrooms next to the best shopping malls in town.

And we pivoted by opening massive standalone showrooms next to the best shopping malls in town.

And we pivoted by opening massive standalone showrooms next to the best shopping malls in town.

No, so Ikea is about 250, 300,000 square feet. We would be about 60 to 100. Okay, so about a half. But it's still, it's pretty big. No, that's massive. It's still big. Yeah, Ikea is massive. It's still big. Yeah. And Ikea is about 150 to 300, yeah. Ours is about 60 to 100. Got it. So one third.

No, so Ikea is about 250, 300,000 square feet. We would be about 60 to 100. Okay, so about a half. But it's still, it's pretty big. No, that's massive. It's still big. Yeah, Ikea is massive. It's still big. Yeah. And Ikea is about 150 to 300, yeah. Ours is about 60 to 100. Got it. So one third.

No, so Ikea is about 250, 300,000 square feet. We would be about 60 to 100. Okay, so about a half. But it's still, it's pretty big. No, that's massive. It's still big. Yeah, Ikea is massive. It's still big. Yeah. And Ikea is about 150 to 300, yeah. Ours is about 60 to 100. Got it. So one third.

We would open in very prime locations. And you know what we did? Something different was, I'd put these massive 20 meter by eight meter LED screens, bang on the showroom, showcasing our products. Awesome. So it became like an instant buzz. You know, what's happening over here? And anyone going to the mall would pass our shop anyway.

We would open in very prime locations. And you know what we did? Something different was, I'd put these massive 20 meter by eight meter LED screens, bang on the showroom, showcasing our products. Awesome. So it became like an instant buzz. You know, what's happening over here? And anyone going to the mall would pass our shop anyway.