While everyone was out playing in the garden of his neighborhood in Bahrain, Ali would sit at home draw and fiddle with objects always using his hands to build or mend things. Ali never followed the crowd as a child he always followed his own interests which were not always conventional to his age group. He would always be lectured about his learning habits and grades at school, but nevertheless Ali continued his hobby in using his hands to create and build things. Apart from his love with using his hands, Ali is known to be dynamic and unable to sit idle in a place for too long, and that is why he was not great in the classroom and decided that he could not go down the traditional educational route and took a vocational degree as a boat engineer. In his free time he would purchase various magazines on interiors and homes as he enjoyed looking at how various furniture items were created and produced and would at times, build his own replicas when he had free time- again using his favorite tool, his hands. Ali was known to be the class prankster and continued to hold this reputation as he grew older. He was known for initiating the most creative tricks that would baffle the audience! It was with that thought, that one day Ali realized that he should use his extensive creativity to make money, not just for laughs.
It was with that thought that Ali then looked at his shelves of magazines and realized, that he should start manufacturing furniture items- bringing two favorite things together, using his hands to build and his passion for interiors. It all started in 2002, when Ali bought a machine that cost him just under BHD in a space of 23 m2 . He started with just upholstery whereby he would do some jobs for people he knew through his network. His talent was automatically accepted and he started to receive more orders and that is when he had to hire someone to assist him in successfully meeting the demand. From upholstery, he then went into furniture manufacturing, working with designers to turn their designs into tangible items. One of Ali’s key skills is not seeing anything as an impossibility. His creativity was his most powerful tool, where he could always meet the needs of his designers. Ali says “ Nothing is impossible” and with that motto, he was able to reach where he is today.
HIS MARKET IS NOT LIMITED TO BAHRAIN AS HE WORKS WITH THE ENTIRE GCC REGION.
Ali now oversees a factory that extends over 9,000 m2 with xxx number employees that is automated with the latest in technology equipment that has advanced production capability. Ali is a furniture manufacturer / wholesaler specializing in working with designers for hotel fit ours and kitchens. His market is not limited to Bahrain as he works with the entire GCC region. Ali emphasized the importance of technology in any business in this current time. He said “ Technology is important starting from your website and extending toward the way you manage your customers through databases and the way you market your products and services.” It is for this reason that when you visit his factory you will see it uses automated equipment with all digital processes. In addition, many of Ali’s furniture all have technological aspects, with automatic doors, lighting, and storage cabinets. “The market requires for digital options even with furniture and it is important to be up to date with technology and take time to research the current trends and uses in whatever industry you are working in to maintain a competitive advantage” says Ali. When we asked Ali how many hours he spends at work, he looked at us with a puzzled expression and said “ Hours? Work? I do not count the time I spend at the factory because I do not feel like I am performing work or a chore, rather I enjoy every minute that I do not know the difference between work and home!” I think Ali epitomizes entrepreneurship where has turned his passion into a business.
ALI DOES NOT SEE HIMSELF STOP THERE, HE AIMS TO VENTURE INTO OTHER INDUSTRIES AND FIELDS WHEREVER HIS CREATIVITY TAKES HIM.
When sitting in Ali’s office you see a wall with rows of shelves that hold his magazines and books of interiors from years of collecting , on another wall is large LCD screen, his office furniture are all designed and made by his company, and the most interesting detail of his office is a full glass window wall overlooking the factory. When standing at that window you can see the entire assembly line and various divisions in the process line all clearly labeled with lit up signs.
Ali does not see himself stop there, he aims to venture into other industries and fields wherever his creativity takes him. Ali said “ the most important thing is never to compare yourself to others, in anything you do!”. He encounters many competitors and new entrants to the same industry, but rather than comparing his company to others, he focuses on his productivity and advancement, but keeping into consideration what his competitors are doing.
Keeping creativity in the name, Ali is the proud owner of Creative Design located in Bahrain Industrial Investment Park in Salman Industrial City, Hidd Bahrain. If any of you are interested in venturing that way, make sure you pass by his showroom and factory where you see how a childhood dream turned into reality. Ali Khayyat is a Bahraini national and passionate entrepreneur.
