Ramzi Jalbout, founder of Krock’s, talked to us about his entrepreneurial path during a visit to Bader’s office. Krock’s is a snack combining Kaak and fresh Labneh to form a full snack, or to replace any meal during the day. It is packaged in an innovative and patented pack designed by Ramzi.

Why are you starting your business now?
I am more than convinced that it is the right time in my career to relocate in a path that provides me with an entrepreneur experience, exposes me to a wider market, and gives me the opportunity to exchange knowledge and to work in large teams with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

What education background do you have?
I started out by pursuing a Business management degree, which reinforced my common sense approach, my problem-framing and problem-solving skills. Then, I have pursued a Masters in business administration (MBA), which gave me a deeper understanding of accounting, finance, business operation and strategy.

What about your work experience?
As for my work experience, it started by completing my three month at Bank Audi as a trainee, which enabled me to use my technical skills and reinforced my abilities to manage several activities simultaneously. Afterwards, I began working in the procurement services with Saint George Hospital for three years, shifted then to occupy the position of consultant CEO at Rafic Hariri University Hospital for one year contract to implement and create standards and procedures for the procurement department. That experience gave me the opportunity to gain a wide exposure to several companies and mainly in performance improvement, which includes: process improvement, business process re-engineering, and risk management. Due to my performance I was hired by Life Health Management, which is a company that sells all kind of hospital services, to occupy a position of Procurement Director in charge of the purchasing and materials management cycle and the creation and implementation of rules and regulation. I also worked on several external and internal assignments, as well as transaction services. I have proven to have excellent and exceptional interpersonal skills which allowed me to successfully develop strong relationships with clients and potential clients as well as obtaining additional services from existing clients. Moreover, my industrial activity as a founder and shareholder of a food production company (FNP.llc Fresh Natural Product.llc) granted me the opportunity to think, and act as an entrepreneur.

How did Bader help you develop your new venture?
Implementing its own business is the aim of most ambitious persons, but what matters is to gather all factors that can come out with a successful output. These factors are based on talent, education, experience and then luck, which are not available to any new entrepreneur at the same time. Education is essential but still it is part of the equation, without the help of an expert in the field it will take the same time to reach what that expert reached. So his help is of vital importance to shorten time, his know-how will eliminate mistakes, his network will create opportunities, and the means of financing will implemented.

These are the factors which Bader helped me with in order to implement Krock’s. Actually, the scope of Bader’s support was wide ranged. First, Bader helped me set meetings with professional people in the field of FMCG or previous directors also in the same field (especially those who used to work for reputable consultancy firms), who enriched our knowledge and highlighted gaps in our feasibility study as well as in the strategy to implement the product.

Their recommendation sent to Kafalat (Lebanese Fund supported by the Lebanese government to improve and develop new businesses) was the turning point for us, after several unsuccessful attempts to get a financial aid.

They invited me to their workshops which took place in Universities. These workshops were more than a boost to the idea. At the same time it gave us the opportunity to test and get feedback from the market and my future potential customers.

Bader also invited me to the career development fair, Forward, held in downtown Beirut (Biel hall). The exposure and the contact with people gave us a deep conviction in our product and the path we are holding. I have to mention that the invitation was for free knowing that it cost them a lot to get a stand.

Bader’s introduction to its network spread over the Lebanese territory and its connection with leaders in the market cutout 75% of the way. Furthermore, we have reached them as if no boundaries were there. These people’s help or let me call it “market influencers” are key to success because it saves time from reinventing the wheel and learn what they developed over the past 40 to 60 years.

What advise would you give to young entrepreneurs?
It is essential to any entrepreneur and especially if he is young to be well supported and backed up by descent people. Bader which is a non-profit organization is helping those in need in order to enhance the economy, to open job opportunities, and to spread entrepreneur’s ideas. Bader can take the roll of guardian till the story turns into a successful one then Bader’s mission will be accomplished, it will be on others success.