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EPISODE #

80

Mazen Kanaan on Unilever ouster, House of Pops success, and a Shark Tank deal that went south!

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About this episode

I sat down with Mazen Kanaan, Co-founder and CEO of House of Pops to discuss his incredible journey leading the ice cream business at Unilever in the region, to his abrupt ouster and the subsequent launch of House of Pops with his girlfriend (now wife) Marcela Sancho.

Mazen recounts the challenges of starting from scratch, going all in and being self-funded, the importance of brand building and customer journeys, and the strategic decisions that led to scaling the business and regional expansion. He also recounts his Shark Tank Dubai experience and the subsequent negotiations.

Mazen’s story is a testament to resilience and innovation in entrepreneurship and a playbook in how to build a regional champion.

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Mazen Kanaan, Founder & CEO, House of Pops

guest profile

Mazen Kanaan

Mazen Kanaan, is a well-rounded FMCG marketing professional with 18 years’ experience working with multinationals in the Middle East. Mazen is on a mission to make House of Pops the number one health and wellness ice cream brand, creating innovative products that delight consumers and promote well-being. His expertise lies in managing and growing portfolios across diverse markets, such as Turkey, Middle East, and Africa. He has successfully launched and scaled multiple brands, like Lipton and Magnum and developed strategic partnerships with key customers and stakeholders. He holds a BSc in Economics from Beirut’s Lebanese American University. When not pursuing his passion for healthy, sustainable treats, Mazen enjoys traveling, playing chess and Padel tennis, dialing specialty coffee, reading and listening to podcasts.

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