Success stories of Palestinian achievers from all over the world

Abraham Hatoum

Abraham Hatoum

Sector : Business, Businessmen

Personal Info

  • Country of residence: Australia
  • Gender: Male
  • Age: 0
  • Curriculum vitae :

Information

Abraham Hatoum's story of hardship, and creating his own luck, is one to behold.

At 10, budding entrepreneur Abraham Hatoum set up an orange juice cart and sold drinks to the guards in the Lebanon-based Palestinian refugee camp where he lived. The enterprise flourished. But the future founder of the clothing alteration franchise "LookSmart" was in for dire luck. First, his father, who ran a mobile food van, was murdered by a business rival. Then the young Hatoum suffered broken bones in a racially motivated bashing. Next, he sustained further injuries when he was caught in a bombing.

Forced to flee the civil war convulsing Lebanon, Hatoum arrived with his family in Australia in 1985. After completing his HSC at TAFE, he enrolled at The University of New South Wales and struggled - it took him 12 years to earn his Bachelor of Commerce degree, graduating in 1998. Meantime, with his tailor brother-in-law, he founded "LookSmart" (then CityWide) in 1994. Sinking every cent he had into the venture, which provided high-speed alterations, he built it into a giant with 100 franchisees and $28 million yearly turnover. Instead of selling franchises with a marketing pitch, he says he “attracts” buyers through return on investment.




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Achievements and Awards

Last year, the money magnet won the top prize at the 22nd national Ethnic Business Awards. Here, Hatoum, 45, talks about surviving and thriving. The experience taught me that if you have a vision...if you have passion and drive, you can accomplish just about anything. Lead by example also comes to mind. Look, at the end of the day, I didn't allow circumstances or hardships or anything to stand in my way. I pulled myself up. Dusted myself off and got on with it.

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