Approaching Business with an Artistic Eye

That aspiration also propelled the self-taught painter and sculptor to enroll at HBS to gain strong business and managerial skills. “The art scene in the Middle East is driven by the private sector,” explains Halwani. “I want to strengthen it and make it available and accessible to everyone.”

At HBS, Halwani furthered his entrepreneurial passion and started his own fashion e-commerce company, Darza—which means “stitch” in Arabic—to target issues he saw in the industry. “In the Middle East, there are distinct characteristics in the way people dress,” says Halwani. “Companies don’t create specific fashions for the region, so women who wear modest clothing struggle to find styles they like and often end up with very bland choices.”

Plus, Darza provides quality fashion at a lower price point. “Global brands like Zara sell their products in the Middle East through franchisors, so garments can cost twice as much as in the United States,” he explains. “We use skilled artisans right in Lebanon—no intermediaries.”

The courses Halwani took at HBS and his participation in the School’s January term Startup Bootcamp helped him understand the company’s potential. The Arthur Rock Center for Entrepreneurship also provided resources and support to develop the company, and this past spring, Darza tied for second place in the business track of the Rock Center’s 20th annual New Venture Competition. The $25,000 Satchu‐Burgstone Prize, which was split equally between the two winners, helped Darza fund marketing initiatives beyond its base in Lebanon, including Qatar and Kuwait, and expand its delivery coverage.

After graduating in May, Halwani returned to Lebanon to further develop his company and continue his artistic pursuits by working on a new series of paintings exploring the chaos of mass migration in the Middle East and how it affects one’s sense of identity. In September, he delegated the day-to-day operations of his company to others and moved to London to work in private equity at Bain Capital where, he says, “I hope to better understand the process of finding, building, and sustaining strong businesses.”