Podcast appearances and mentions of alexander harik

This week, we're joined by Alexander Harik, founder and CEO of Zesty Z, a brand of condiments, popcorn and seasonings inspired by the Mediterranean diet. Born in Brooklyn, Zesty Z debuted in 2017 and has attempted to introduce Middle Eastern flavors to American households via easily understood and accessible products, beginning with its flagship zaatar and olive oil blend, which gained national distribution at Whole Foods within a year of its launch. The company has since extended the brand via a three-SKU line of popcorn infused with Mediterranean flavors, such as thyme and feta, and a line of table seasonings, which includes everything bagel and zaatar varieties.  In an interview featured in this episode, Harik discussed the duality of Zesty Z as an authentic Mediterranean food brand whose products are designed to reach a broad set of consumers, how he initially won over independent retailers on his way to coast-to-coast distribution, the process of scaling from a single product to a platform brand and how he's navigated challenges and surprising roadblocks as an Arab-American food entrepreneur. Show notes:  0:48: Sipping Aguas Frescas Out Of A Trophy… It's A Thing. Also, You'll Want Your Microwave For This. -- NOSH reporter Erin Cabrey helped kick off this episode, which arrived just ahead of BevNET and NOSH's Virtually Live Summer 2021. The hosts discussed the agenda for the event, which is loaded with informative panels, interactive discussions and much more, along with the recently held New Beverage Showdown 21 competition, which was won by aguas frescas brand Agua Bonita. Later, they spoke about an innovative take on microwave popcorn, exquisite frozen desserts, better-for-you pantry staples and “electrifying” beverages. 18:51: Interview: Alexander Harik, Founder/CEO, Zesty Z -- Harik sat down with Taste Radio editor Ray Latif and spoke about the origins of the company, how its whimsical name differentiates Zesty Z from legacy Mediterranean food brands and the key elements of a first market-viable product. He also explained his process for landing the brand's first 25 retailers, how he built strong relationships with local and national Whole Foods buyers and how he chose popcorn as the brand's second and most scalable product line. Later, he discussed how the bigotry and racism he experienced in the wake of 9/11 impacted his journey as a food entrepreneur and why he's concerned that Arab-Americans are not classified as a minority group by some industry organizations.  Brands in this episode: Zesty Z, La Colombe, A Dozen Cousins, Agua Bonita, Olipop, Opopop, Dolcezza Gelato, Vybes, Electra, Unlit, High Road Craft Ice Cream, Incredo Spreads, Not Just Co., Nutella, Siete, Dang Foods

We highlight successful stories of Arab Americans and Arab Canadians who positively impact the community. Sponsored by Lipton Yellow Label.In this episode, we chat with Alexander Harik. Meet Alexander Harik, Co-founder and CEO of Zesty Z.  In 2017, Alexander and his mother launched Zesty Z in Brooklyn. They had no background in food, but wanted to create a modern Mediterranean brand to share the flavors and cultures from the region.Their first products were innovative condiments that blended Za'atar and olive oil. ​They had a national recognition and expanded their offerings to popcorn​ and seasonings.Hosts: Anwar Jebran and Malek Abdulsamad.Music (Special Cover): https://www.basselmusic.com/Please visit our website, and follow up on social media and watch us on Youtube:https://linktr.ee/communiteainarabic

Sadie Lincoln and her husband, Chris, had what seemed like the perfect life – well-paying jobs, a house in the Bay Area, two kids. But one day they decided to sell everything and start a new business called Barre3: a studio exercise program that blends ballet with pilates and yoga. Today, Barre3 has more than 100 studios across the country. PLUS in our postscript "How You Built That," we check back with Alexander Harik, who turned his mom's recipe for fragrant Middle Eastern za'atar spread into Zesty Z: The Za'atar Company. (Original broadcast date: September 11, 2017.)

In 1992, Steve Ells was a classically trained chef working in a high-end restaurant in San Francisco. But after eating a burrito at a local taqueria, he got an idea: to sell burritos and earn enough money to open his own gourmet restaurant. The first Chipotle opened in Denver the following year. Bringing his culinary training to taqueria-style service, Steve Ells helped transform the way we eat fast food. PLUS for our postscript "How You Built That," how Alexander Harik turned his mom's recipe for za'atar spread—a fragrant Middle Eastern condiment—into Zesty Z: The Za'atar Company.

Zesty Z is the brainchild of founder Alexander Harik, who pitched the idea to his family at the dinner table. They promptly laughed him off before starting to take him seriously. Thankfully for all of us, Zesty Z was born as a new za'atar-based condiment and spread. Alexander is Lebanese-American and grew up eating za'atar, but realized no one had introduced one of his favorite flavors to the masses.  In this show, we talk about Google University — basically figuring it out as you go — to repping your company to how Alexander got his first store placement. It's a powerful story of perseverance, passion, family and food.  Full show notes: wecouldmakethat.com/zesty

Alexander Harik left the corporate finance world to become a food entrepreneur. His product, Zesty Z, a zaa’tar spread and condiment is just starting to make traction in the NYC market. (And it’s freaking delicious.)  In this show, we talk about the characteristics Alexander thinks are important to cultivating an entrepreneurial spirit and how his upbringing helped develop these traits. We also chat about all the research Alexander did to launch Zesty Z into the world, and how we can all follow our dreams when we find something we're passionate about. Full show notes available: andreawien.com/zesty-z