“Perhaps you can help me,” he asked?
It was July 2021, and on my way back from celebrating at my brother’s place, Ola driver Mo Hilal had found out I am a writer by trade.
He was looking for a name for a kebab place/foodcart that he and two colleagues were going to kick off.
“Abrekebabra’s pretty good,” I said (referring to a well-known food outlet in Wellington’s Manners St).
“Yes, one of the guys who is our business partner works there.”
I asked whether they were going to sell food other than kebabs at their new place?
Yes, that was the case.
I noted to Mo that I’m a big fan of your business/brand name giving someone a good clue about what you offer.
“Your name’s the start of your story – it sets everything else up (or words to that effect),” I said.
Halfway home I thought, “Kebab Plus”, and suggested it to Mo. “It has positive connotations, and describes what you’ll get from your set up. I’d be surprised if the URL wasn’t available too.”
Mo raised his eyebrows, quietly thought about it, and thanked me when he dropped me off.
When we connected next day through LinkedIn, I saw he has an IT qualification…among many things it would seem.
Five months later Mo emailed me and told me they (Abdul Ghanni Ghannam and Abdel Razzak Al Hussein) had opened a food cart in Wakefield St, behind Courtenay Central. Its name is Kebab Plus.
Now Mo (and his mates) are all Syrian refugees, arriving here about five years ago.
The Syrian father (to12 year old Jamal, 10 year old Wataa and little kiwi, 3 year old Sarah), and husband to Fatima, obviously has a real go-getter entrepreneurial streak.
As well as re-establishing himself and his family in a country half a world away from his homeland, Mo has also helped establish the Arabic School of New Zealand in the Hutt Valley that teaches language and culture after NZ-school hours.
Its Facebook home is here.
He’s fully involved and committed to creating a new life, while using the skills and knowledge from his old one.
Mo’s done it hard, and seems to be coming up trumps. In short, he’s an inspiration.
To be able to provide a great name for his new venture is a privilege.
(Post Script: Kebab Plus is now at a new, permanent restaurant/outlet at 9 Courtenay Place…must be the name!)