logo
episode-header-image
Jul 30
31m 21s

Muse #14 - Building 16mm: Hady Chehlaoui...

Carine Merheb
About this episode

This week's Muse is Hady, the owner of 16mm, a bar in the heart of Beirut's liveliest district Gemmayzeh.


In this raw conversation, Hady takes us through his incredible journey of resilience, navigating some of Lebanon's most difficult challenges. From the upheaval of revolution and the global COVID pandemic to surviving the devastating 2020 Beirut blast, Hady shares how these events shaped both his business and personal life.


But it’s not just about surviving, it's about thriving. Hady opens up about the importance of community, the hurdles of building a business in such a volatile environment, and the unbreakable spirit that has kept him moving forward.


This is a powerful testament to the determination required to keep a vision alive in a city that constantly challenges you.


LINKS:


Follow 16mm bar here: https://www.instagram.com/16mm.beirut/?hl=en


Follow Seat of the Muse socials here:

https://www.instagram.com/seatofthemuse/

https://www.tiktok.com/@yourhostcarine

Up next
Aug 13
Muse #15 - Why she quit Wall Street: Francesca Inglima launches Bianca Arte for next-gen art collectors
This week’s Muse is Francesca Inglima, who spent eight years at top tier U.S. investment banks before stepping into the Art world. After studying at Sotheby’s she founded Bianca Arte, a cultural salon for the next generation of art collectors.In this episode, we explore the leap ... Show More
36m 49s
Jul 16
Muse #13 - Inside Beirut’s hottest social wellness club: Farah Dagher on co-founding Origin Circle
This week's Muse is Farah Dagher, co-founder of Origin Circle, Beirut's first social wellness club. What started as a conversation between two best friends on holiday quickly became a sanctuary for movement, recovery, and human connection. In this episode, Farah shares the full b ... Show More
43m 1s
Jul 2
Muse #12 - What if your Matcha was a perfume? KŌDŌ founder Yasmin Khalil on gourmand scents, rituals & wellness
This week’s Muse is Yasmin Khalil, the founder of KŌDŌ - a clean fragrance brand where scent becomes ritual, and perfume smells like your favorite indulgence.Trained in interior design, Yasmin shifted from shaping physical spaces to curating invisible ones - through smell. Her jo ... Show More
34m 2s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2021
006: From Yoga Instructor to $20k in 3 Months: How Mia Dickson Launched Social Dot During a Pandemic
Meet Mia Dickson - a yoga instructor turned entrepreneur who successfully launched and scaled her business Social Dot during a pandemic and hit $20k in 3 months. After Covid forced the closure of yoga studios the world over, Mia decided to venture out and launch her own ecommerce ... Show More
36m 54s
Apr 2025
Stop Overthinking, Start Doing: How This Founder Left Her 9–5 & Launched a Viral Wellness Brand with Katie Wilson, co-founder of BelliWelli
Katie Wilson is the co-founder of BelliWelli, a wellness brand transforming the digestive health space with delicious bars and easy-to-take fiber supplements.​ Katie didn’t set out to start a wellness brand—especially not from her kitchen. But after years of struggling with gut i ... Show More
51m 48s
Aug 2020
422: Creating a Dream Boutique with Brittany Petrik
Emily talks with one of her 2020 Mastermind clients, Brittany Petrik, on her journey from teaching to boutique-ing, her unconventional brick and mortar, and her ability to pivot and serve her community during a worldwide pandemic. Brittany talks about her journey over the last ye ... Show More
56m 12s
Apr 2020
Surviving the end of a trend: going beyond cupcakes with NOLA (Ep 9)
Laila Sedky and Adel Sedky, Founder and CEO of NOLA As Founder and CEO of one of the most recognizable brands in the confectionary business, Laila and Adel understand the business of selling happiness. Their tenure at Nola saw them grow the brand beyond the flagship store in Zama ... Show More
38m 51s
Jan 2020
Bringing art to the masses: How TAM is trying to democratize the art scene (Ep 7)
TAM Gallery, formerly Arts Mart, started off as an online gallery that aimed to give new artists a chance to break into the Egyptian art world. Fast forward less than a decade later, TAM has three arms each aiming to give new artists and entry into the commercial world — and to b ... Show More
29m 22s
Jan 2025
VC React Podcast (E23): DeepSeek Moment! New Growth Funds In MENA, New Sector Focus For MENA VCs!
VC React Podcast: Every week, we bring you insights and reactions from top VCs, reacting to the latest news on MENA startups, VCs, and investment rounds. Stay tuned for: expert analysis, independent opinions, and maybe some heated conversations! Hosts: Ahmad Takatkah, VCpreneur. ... Show More
52m 33s
Nov 2020
Goumbook: Tatiana Antonelli
Goumbook was the UAE's earliest social entreprise helping promote sustainable practices since 2010. So pull up a chair & join our conversation with Tatiana Antonelli, founder of Goumbook, and how she is facilitating her business into the new world order and why 2020 could become ... Show More
28m 10s
Oct 2024
Buying, Selling, and Investing in Businesses with Jaclyn Johnson and Lindsey Schwartz
How do you know if you should raise money for your business? In today’s episode, I’m joined by the incredible Jaclyn Johnson, founder of Create & Cultivate and Cherub, and Founder of Powerhouse women, Lindsey Schwartz. Jaclyn shares how taking a break after selling her majority s ... Show More
43m 13s
Feb 2024
JJ Martin Discusses Her Creative Life, Her Greatest Lessons and The Birth of Mamma Milano
Today we welcome JJ Martin of celeb-favorite fashion brand, La DoubleJ, based in Milan. She just debuted Mamma Milano, a gorgeous new memoir/lifestyle guide inspired by the city that transformed her. JJ is a true force, with a contagious enthusiasm on everything from starting a b ... Show More
59m 10s
Feb 2021
664. How Felicia Alexander Left Corporate America to Build Her Dream Gym - with Felicia Alexander
In This Episode You Will Learn About: Creating a communal class structure around boxing Starting a new business Adapting to COVID-19 Embodying perseverance Bringing people together   Resources: boxunion.com Visit digital.boxunion.com and use code FELICIA for 33% off your monthly ... Show More
1h 1m