My lifeMy name is Lama Matta. I always asked myself from where I got this flame for hospitality, with time I understood that the country I was raised in was the main reason. I am Lebanese, born in Beirut and grew up in the streets of the capital city that was and is still considered as the heart of tourism among all Arab countries. Growing up among hospitable people, and being surrounded by touristic areas and sites permit me enhancing my skills in that domain but also helped me build a personality that goes with it.
After achieving my studies in hospitality management, I worked in the food and beverage industry and with time and as I was exploring the field and more particular interests I discovered my passion for franchising and seeked learning more about the spirit of a franchise , and this is where it all started… |
|
My biggest achievements, so far...
Les Roches International School of Hotel Management
After living for 25 years in my family cocoon, the biggest challenge for me was to land in a country where I don’t have any acquaintances. After landing in Switzerland my fear started to grow, knowing that I am here to accomplish my MBA’s I started doubting myself and my capabilities. Achieving my first semester here helped me erase all these doubts, since not only I gained knowledge, experience and education but most of all I raised a second family, from whom it will be hard to get separated after achieving my second and last semester in Bluche, Switzerland… Mayrig, My first franchise in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
Nowadays, Franchising is considered as the future of successful restaurant concepts. In 2008 I had the chance to integrate a company owning and managing a very reputable restaurant in Beirut called Mayrig. After 8 years of operation Mayrig sold their first franchise in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and I had the chance to be part of that experience that was not only new for me but for the company as well. I contributed in the adaptation of the manuals to the Saudi culture, held and directed communication with the franchisee, but the biggest experiment that occurred during this journey was when they held me responsible of the staff trainings in Jeddah and of monitoring the finalization of the project few weeks before the opening. Although I faced a lot of challenges, difficulties and constraints, the opening was called a success and the operation there is still accomplishing high turnover. |