Entrepreneur success stories: Akiro Hand Roll Bar

4 min read

What turns an accountant into a successful restaurateur? That’s the International MBA effect in action. Take a moment to enjoy one of the most recent entrepreneur success stories from IE Business School—and see what advice Faisal Barakat, alumnus and one of the founders of Akiro Hand Roll Bar, had to offer in a recent interview.

Fusing cultures and flavors with Akiro Hand Roll Bar

Faisal Barakat is Palestinian by heritage but was born and raised in the Jordanian capital, Amman. He then moved to the US to pursue his undergraduate degree in finance and accounting. Afterwards, he spent some time in Los Angeles, sharpening his newly acquired skill set in the family business. 

Faisal knew he wanted to explore new interests when he enrolled in the International MBA, but he didn’t know what direction this would take. “I saw this as an opportunity to build a strong network, develop my entrepreneurial skills and, ultimately, create something of my own.” What started as a journey of self-discovery and a search for impact quickly became so much more, leading him to take the next step in his extraordinary career trajectory.  

After graduation, Faisal and Lucas launched Akiro Hand Roll Bar alongside co-founder Luis Arévalo, a highly respected and pioneering chef in Nikkei cuisine. “Akiro [is] a place where high-quality, affordable sushi meets the bold and vibrant flavors of Nikkei cuisine,” Faisal explains. This establishment offers a fresh take on Nikkei, integrating Peruvian ingredients with Japanese preparation techniques. 

Key ingredients for cooking up entrepreneur success stories

So, how did the International MBA speed up Faisal and Lucas’ transformation from accounting to entrepreneurship? Let’s take a look Faisal’s key ingredients for success:

1. Global partnerships

Ask any business leader, and they’ll tell you that your network plays a massive role in your professional growth. For Faisal, joining the International MBA set him on a direct course to meeting his first business partner, Lucas Leon.

Lucas ticked all the boxes you’d want if you were looking to start a niche restaurant business: he’s originally from Peru, so he is intimately familiar with Nikkei food. He’s also an accomplished entrepreneur in his own right, having co-founded Cocina Lab.  “We quickly discovered that we shared the same vision, values and ambition to build something innovative.”

Through Lucas’ connections in the culinary world, Akiro was able to onboard Luis Arévalo—gaining a head chef and completing the co-founder trifecta in the process. “With his culinary expertise, we saw an opportunity to bring a fresh, modern take on this concept to Madrid.”

Since then, they’ve expanded beyond their flagship store in Madrid, opening another location in Barcelona to keep up with rising demand.

2. International perspectives

Besides having the right expertise, the co-founders’ global perspectives really helped Akiro conquer the Nikkei niche and win over the competitive Spanish market. “Having an international background has been instrumental in shaping our approach.” From Jordan to Peru, they’ve lived and worked in multiple countries worldwide, gaining exposure to different “culinary traditions, consumer behaviours and business cultures.”

With the International MBA, Faisal and Lucas had a deep pool of inspiration to draw from. The program further cultivated a global mindset by allowing them to learn from diverse people and practices. This meant the team was able to fine-tune everything from the branding to the menu design and customer experience to reflect Akiro’s diverse roots—and all while finding a place in one of the world’s most dynamic food scenes.

3. Entrepreneurial mindset

But what use is finding the perfect market fit if you don’t have the skills to take advantage of it? That’s what the International MBA excels in—nurturing an entrepreneurial mindset. Participants develop the ability to see beyond the challenge, take calculated risks, and find innovative, practical solutions through hands-on learning experiences.

Similarly, being surrounded by ambition helps you crystallize your own goals. Your peers in the program are leaders with diverse skills, backgrounds and perspectives. Another inspiring part of the International MBA journey, says Faisal, is “seeing so many alumni successfully embark on entrepreneurial ventures.” Learning in that environment does wonders for your own problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

4. Valuable, transferable skills

Faisal also credits the program for empowering him with a valuable skill set that could only lead to success. For instance, the ability to identify emerging opportunities and assess market gaps helped him position Akiro as the number-one option for premium Nikkei experiences at an affordable price in Spain.

Meanwhile, his deep grasp of financial modelling, cost control, and pricing and market strategies ensured the establishment could deliver on its promise of value while still being profitable. It also equipped the team to make data-driven decisions in logistics, ingredients supply chains, kitchen workflows and more, optimizing operations while still mantaining high standards.

Just as importantly, Faisal developed the leadership and people skills to manage diverse teams. This is essential in such a fast-moving industry, where, he explains, establishing a “culture of collaboration, adaptability and excellence” is vital to long-term success.

Advice for entrepreneurs

Faisal and Lucas set out to carve their own paths, but theirs weren’t without hurdles. As Faisal explains, “Starting a business in a new country comes with unique challenges, from navigating regulations to understanding cultural nuances.” However, he says entrepreneurs shouldn’t be scared about facing difficulties: it’s the only way to refine your vision and develop the skill set you need.

How can you accomplish this? By learning continuously, adapting quickly, and building connections with mentors, industry pros and other entrepreneurs. Learning to be patient and staying laser-focused on your long-term vision are important factors, too. After all, as Faisal comments, “Entrepreneurship comes with ups and downs, and resilience is what separates those who succeed from those who don’t.”