Today we’d like to introduce you to Yaser Khalaf.
Yaser, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Right before the Gulf War, my family opted to send me away from Kuwait to the United States for the promise of a better education and a more stable environment.
I landed at the University of Kentucky, where my foray into the restaurant industry began during my sophomore year of college. My first venture was a small pizza joint in Lexington, Kentucky, known as LA Gourmet Pizza. Which I expanded to multiple locations around Kentucky and eventually to Dallas. It was a difficult path to tackle on, but my passion for the restaurant business and the world of entrepreneurship has been steadily brewing ever since.
Later in life, I got married to my lovely wife, and we set base in Dallas, Where I founded Yela Concepts, an umbrella organization overseeing a diverse portfolio of restaurants, including Baboush, Souk, Darna Eatery, and countless more. Moreover, we are the driving force behind various food halls across the nation, such as Junction Food Hall in Denver, Colorado.
Creating our restaurants involves a multitude of intricacies, all with the singular aim of delivering an unforgettable experience to each guest who graces our doors.
Now, my commitment to excellence extends beyond hospitality and into our new ventures in Real Estate and Construction. Our mission is to offer distinctive services by incorporating my hospitality background and expertise into our projects & developments.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Of course, there’s struggles, it’s almost a neccessity in achieving success in any field. And the ability to adapt and innovate through turbulent times is what sets you apart from your competitors.
I like to use the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. As a small business, we were affected tremendously, but remarkably, we experienced some of our most remarkable performances during this time. Our company tackled the lockdown mandates and social distancing challenges by implementing curbside and delivery services.
We prioritized our connections within our communities. Extending our reach by delivering food to local schools, hospitals, and police stations while demonstrating our solidarity with teachers, students, and first responders.
Our company also provided unlimited access to food and shelter to our staff whenever they needed it.
Certain actions go a long way when running a small business. And leaving a lasting imprint with our clients or customers and within our communities, is one of our highest priorities.
As you know, we’re big fans of Khalaf Holdings. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Khalaf Holdings is the parent company to all of our ventures whether that be Yela Concepts, our hospitality company, or Stingray Real Estate Holdings & Memar Contractors Group, which is our real estate development company and our construction company.
Our ventures specialize in a diverse range of industries, with a primary focus on restaurant and hospitality, construction, and real estate development & management. In the realm of restaurant and hospitality, we craft exceptional dining experiences and manage various food establishments, consistently delivering quality and innovation to our customers. In the construction sector, we undertake projects with precision and expertise, ensuring the realization of our clients’ visions. Additionally, we engage in real estate ventures, leveraging our hospitality background to offer unique services while consistently prioritizing client satisfaction. Our multifaceted approach allows us to thrive in these dynamic industries, delivering excellence every step of the way.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
One significant risk we undertook was one that I mentioned earlier: tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. While it was a time of uncertainty, we chose to adapt swiftly by expanding our curbside and delivery services, which required significant investments in technology and logistics. This decision proved pivotal in not only sustaining our operations but also helping us thrive during a challenging period.
Our transition into real estate was another calculated risk. Using our knowledge in hospitality, we ventured into real estate with a unique approach, which involved developing properties with a focus on creating memorable experiences for residents through our own concepts. This diversification was a risk, but it has since provided us with rewarding opportunities for growth and expansion.
In essence, I see risk as an essential element of entrepreneurship. It’s about carefully assessing opportunities, making informed decisions, and being adaptable in the face of uncertainty. While I may not consider myself a reckless risk-taker, I believe that strategic risk-taking, when backed by thorough analysis and a commitment to innovation, can lead to substantial rewards and progress in these dynamic industries.
Contact Info:
- Website: yelaconcepts.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaserkhalaf/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yaserkhalaf/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yaser-khalaf-12737315
