What does it really take to build a hospitality business in the UAE?In this episode of Last Flight Out, Mike sits down with James Simmons, an American entrepreneur who moved to Abu Dhabi as a teacher and went on to build an events business before opening Atlon Restaurant & Lounge and Café Nota.James shares how he spotted opportunities in Abu Dhabi's hospitality scene, built a community through events and took the leap into owning his own venue alongside business partner Cliff.They discuss the financial risks of opening a restaurant, how much investment is needed, working long hours while maintaining another career and what it really takes to turn a busy hospitality venue into a sustainable business.From hosting events at Emirates Palace to navigating food costs, staffing, operations and business expansion, this conversation explores the realities of entrepreneurship that people don't always see.In this episode:- Moving from the United States to Abu Dhabi- Building an events business and community- Creating opportunities in luxury hospitality venues- Risking personal savings to open a restaurant- How much it costs to start a restaurant in Abu Dhabi- Managing food costs, staffing and profitability- Expanding the business with Café Nota- Lessons for aspiring entrepreneursIf you're interested in entrepreneurship, hospitality, business ownership or building a new life in the UAE, this conversation is for you.Subscribe to Last Flight Out for more conversations about taking risks, creating opportunities and building a life on your own terms.Follow James Simmons: https://www.instagram.com/jsentertainment81/FOLLOW OUR HOSTS: Jay ➡️ https://instagram.com/jloubriel26 Mike ➡️ https://instagram.com/ifmikewashere FOLLOW LAST FLIGHT OUT PODCAST: YouTube ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@LastFlightOutPodcast Website ➡️ https://www.lastflightoutpodcast.com Instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/lastflightoutpodcast/ TikTok ➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@lastflightoutpodcast Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-flight-out-podcast/id1711422290 iHeart ➡️ https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-last-flight-out-podcast-323371807?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=trueSpotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/2xZJhd2qIw5IxV4VBQufZn#mikeandjay #lastflightoutpodcast #lfo #lastflightout #shorts #bts #dubai #abudhabi #uae #nyc #expat #latino #blackpodcast #latinpodcast #expatlife

SUBSCRIBE & WATCH MORE ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@lastflightoutpodcast His parents arrived in America through the Port of Seattle. Today, Commissioner Sam Cho helps lead it.In this episode of the Last Flight Out Podcast, Jay sits down with Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho: the son of South Korean immigrants, a former Obama administration political appointee, an entrepreneur, and the youngest person and first person of color to serve as Port of Seattle Commission President.In this episode:1. Growing up as the son of immigrants and leading the port that welcomed his family; 2. American University, the London School of Economics, and what living abroad taught him about the U.S.; 3. Working in the Washington State Senate, U.S. Congress, the State Department, and the Obama administration, and how government decisions really get made; 4. Founding Seven Seas Export during the 2017 avian flu egg shortage and exporting millions of pounds of American egg products to AsiaHelping preserve the Northwest Asian Weekly, a legacy AAPI publicationRunning for Port Commission, global trade, sustainability, and the fight against human trafficking; 5. Leadership under pressure and his perspective on immigration as an elected official; and 6. His Last Flight Out momentFOLLOW OUR HOSTS: Jay ➡️ https://instagram.com/jloubriel26 Mike ➡️ https://instagram.com/ifmikewashere FOLLOW LAST FLIGHT OUT PODCAST: YouTube ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@lastflightoutpodcast Website ➡️ https://www.lastflightoutpodcast.com Instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/lastflightoutpodcast/ TikTok ➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@lastflightoutpodcast Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-flight-out-podcast/id1711422290 iHeart ➡️ https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-last-flight-out-podcast-323371807?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=trueSpotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/2xZJhd2qIw5IxV4VBQufZn#mikeandjay #lastflightoutpodcast #lfo #lastflightout #shorts #bts #dubai #abudhabi #uae #nyc #expat #latino #blackpodcast #latinpodcast #expatlife

What does it actually take to rebuild your life when everything has gone wrong? And when is it time to stop choosing security and bet on yourself?

Amer Rustom arrived in Dubai with debt after one of the lowest periods of his life. He went on to generate $3 million in sales in six months and when his company offered him more money to stay, he quit.

In this episode of Last Flight Out, Amer shares the decisions, mindset shifts and risks that helped him rebuild his life, start his own business and create La Dolce Vita.

We also get into the reality of entrepreneurship in Dubai, how La Dolce Vita actually works and makes money, and why you don't need 100K followers to be part of it.

If you're rebuilding your life, considering a major change, thinking about starting a business or wondering whether it's time to bet on yourself, this conversation is for you.

🎙️ Guest: Amer Rustom, founder of La Dolce Vita Entertainment and Num6ers Matter

📸 Follow Amer: https://www.instagram.com/amerrustom29/

https://www.instagram.com/ladolcevita.entertainment/

FOLLOW OUR HOSTS: Jay ➡️ https://instagram.com/jloubriel26

Mike ➡️ https://instagram.com/ifmikewashere

FOLLOW LAST FLIGHT OUT PODCAST:

YouTube ➡️ https://www.youtube.com/@LastFlightOutPodcast

Website ➡️ https://www.lastflightoutpodcast.com

Instagram ➡️ https://www.instagram.com/lastflightoutpodcast/

TikTok ➡️ https://www.tiktok.com/@lastflightoutpodcast

Apple Podcasts ➡️ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/last-flight-out-podcast/id1711422290

iHeart ➡️ https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-last-flight-out-podcast-323371807?cmp=ios_share&sc=ios_social_share&pr=false&autoplay=true

Spotify ➡️ https://open.spotify.com/show/2xZJhd2qIw5IxV4VBQufZn