Today we’d like to introduce you to Ibrahim Michael.
Hi Ibrahim, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was 17 years old, I started to work at a Latin restaurant as a server waiter and there used to always be social and entertainment nights where people come enjoy their time dine and party and I learned about that culture. When I was a kid, I used to like playing instruments and especially percussion and also liked music and had toys to pretend I’m a singer or drummer. When I worked for some time at this restaurant, I one day thought let me buy a dj system and a laptop started to download music and learn how to dj and one day I got the opportunity to actually dj in front of people and I did it and it all started from there I kept on building on it and continuing to work and make connections until I became more known slowly. So I became a Latin dj and one day, I got a call to join an Arabic restaurant so I had to go into the Arabic music industry where my origin from I am originally from Iraq.
I got a call to dj a new year party very last minute and It was just another start into this industry. I kept going for some time from there until a few months later I received a call from the same spot to be their resident dj and continued my journey there and made connections and met new people started to build a name in the community as an Arabic dj and took my journey from there into becoming a popular Arabic dj in the community. I started to get multiple offers to work at different places. I made the next move into another big restaurant and after many years, got the opportunity to take over one of the most popular restaurants at the time was called okoblu and became their dj. Many Years later, I got the opportunity to join a reality show and at the same time one of the most unique vacations and it was called stars on board, it’s a reality show that brings most of the middle eastern superstars on a cruise ship sailing from Europe and people get to spend few days on the ship and enjoy the concerts and shows and I was the official dj. This helped me become more and more popular in the community and I made my way up quickly until I decided to move on my own and open my own restaurant just recently five years ago and it was a dream come true until today I am thankful for that quick escalation that took place in my life and I am now the owner of one of the most popular restaurants in the GTA called Sahara Restaurant located in Mississauga.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
There will always be challenges and obstacles along the way, people have split opinions not the whole entire world thinks the same some people may think I’m the best at what I do and some others may not. Some challenges when I started my journey was that I was very young and had to work and study; it was difficult but I made it happen.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Sahara Restaurant is a middle eastern Fusion Restaurant Located in Mississauga Ontario and we provide authentic Lebanese food mixed with entertainment. My Restaurant opens five days a week and each day, we have different events happening starting from Wednesday to Sunday, my Restaurant opened for one goal and the goal was to show every culture that everyone are welcome together doesn’t mean we are an Arabic place for Arabs only we are a place for all and ever since we opened that has been the case. We specialize in bringing the best Arabic entertainment like dj nights, live band singers and shows such as bellydancer and more.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
I think people will always love music and love going out to places and I see this industry only growing and becoming more fun and popular among others. Today’s new generation is all about going out and enjoying their time especially after working hard everyday.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Djibrahimmichael
