We recently connected with Yaser Khalaf and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Yaser, thanks for joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Becoming successful is a journey that requires a combination of hard work, determination, and the right mindset. While there is no one-size-fits-all recipe for success, certain qualities and habits have proven time and time again to be crucial in achieving greatness.

First and foremost, cultivating a growth mindset is key. This involves embracing challenges, learning from failures, and consistently seeking opportunities for self-improvement. People with a growth mindset understand that intelligence and talent are not fixed attributes but can be developed through dedication and effort. This perspective truly empowers me to persevere even in the face of adversity and setbacks.

Another essential component of success is setting clear, achievable goals. This process begins with defining your vision and breaking it down into smaller, more manageable objectives. By setting specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound goals, I’m able to maintain focus and monitor my progress, making adjustments as needed along the way.
Effective time management and prioritization also play a significant role in becoming successful. By organizing tasks based on urgency and importance, I can allocate my time and energy accordingly, maximizing productivity and minimizing stress. This often involves learning to delegate, say no, and establish boundaries to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Building strong networks and nurturing relationships are essential for success. By surrounding myself with like-minded, supportive individuals, it becomes easier to access resources, share knowledge, and collaborate on projects. Networking also helps in establishing one’s reputation, creating new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Overall, success is the result of a continuous process that involves a growth mindset, clear goal-setting, effective time management, and strong networks. While the path to success may differ for each individual, embracing these qualities and habits can significantly increase the likelihood of reaching your aspirations.

Yaser, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I come from a Palestinian background, but was born in Kuwait, with all the turbulence going on back home, my family chose to send me to America for better education and stability.

I began my career in the restaurant industry during my second year of college. It was a small pizza place in Lexington, Kentucky. It was a lot of hard work! (and still is) But, my love for the restaurant industry, and business, has been brewing ever since! After moving to Dallas, I started Yela Concepts, which oversees various amazing concepts including Baboush, Medina, Farnatchi, Souk, and Darna Eatery!

We also create and operate numerous food halls across the nation, including Junction Food Hall in Denver, Colorado!

When creating our restaurants, a lot of factors are involved to make it an unforgettable experience for every guest who chooses to dine with us. The best part about my job is discovering and creating new ideas to present to our staff & guests and being able to see each and every one of their memorable moments at our restaurants.

This same work ethic applies to not only our restaurants, but also in our ventures in Real Estate & Construction. Our aim is to provide unique services tied to my background in hospitality. However, we never stray from the script and that is to create those same memorable moments for our clients!

I am extremely proud of our team and company structure. We have, genuinely, some of the most honest & hardworking partners and staff working everyday to make their dreams a reality.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Covid-19 was a huge curveball for a lot of small businesses, but surprisingly we had some of our best performances after getting past the lockdown mandates and etc. The integration of curbside/delivery helped maintain a mainstream of revenue for our restaurants. But honestly, we chose as a company to focus directly into building relationships into our communities! We delivered food to our local schools, hospitals, & police stations to show our support for our fellow teachers and students, as well as, our first responders. We also made sure our staff had complete access to food and shelter whenever they needed.

Our commitment to care for our community during a trivial time, like Covid, has been reciprocated tremendously, even now, 4 years later! And the appreciation from our guests will always be the most gratifying thing about our jobs!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I pride myself in being genuine and focused. I truly put my all into my work. Countless hours of creating and testing ideas, and even more hours into operating and producing a product that our guests can enjoy. In our restaurants, we aim to elevate the perception of mediterranean/middle-eastern hospitality & cuisine. And that applies to all of our branches, including construction, development, etc.

Our aim is to foster true, genuine relationships with our guests or clients, and provide them with upmost quality of service. When guests or clients feel valued and appreciated the opportunity for growth is endless.

To sum up my answer, I believe reputation is built by truly caring about the experiences of those I work with and showing up everyday with passion and eagerness to deliver something better than the last.

Contact Info:

• Website: yelaconcepts.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/yaserkhalaf
• Facebook: facebook.com/yaserkhalaf
• Other: our construction company: memarcg.com