Samir and Samer Akel are full-time twins, bosses, and entrepreneurs. Born and raised in Syria, the twins oversaw several enterprises such as restaurants, clubs, and rental properties but due to the war, relocated to Los Angeles, California where they now own a total of 5 restaurants, 3 being the well-known, Crave Cafe.
Before building their empire, the twins worked many different jobs including at a UPS store, a liquor store, a dental office, and as a background extras in the film industry in order to make ends meet in America. They had left their home, friends, family, and businesses, and all they had was each other. Samer and Samir’s inspiring journey is not only a testament to who they are as businessmen, but also brothers who achieved the American Dream.
Samir and Samer welcome to OLC! Can you share a bit about your experience on ‘Twin Love’ and what motivated you to participate in the show?
It’s a really unique experience and something new to both of us to be on a reality TV show and on an international network. We loved every moment in the houses with all the twins , then end up leaving with best friends and loved ones as well. We wanted to do the show 1. To find love, and 2. because it’s about twins. How can we say no to an experience that has both of us together at same time?
How did the unique concept of ‘Twin Love’ impact your relationship with each other during the filming process?
It was hard to be far from each other since that was the first time ever we were separated for that long and the first time ever we had our birthdays away from each other and not celebrating it together. But at the same time, it’s good to be on your own once in a while to see how can you grow separately away from your other half.
Moving from Syria to Los Angeles is a significant journey. How has this relocation influenced your personal and professional lives?
In the beginning, I’m not going to lie it was really hard for both of us. We cried almost every day from how much we missed home and family and friends and our lives out there. Then after a year or two, we start getting adjusted to the new life we build. Just think about it this way – one day you have everything you can ask for, then the next day you’re out in a new country and lost all that u had from business to home to houses to friends to family and have to start from scratch. Not an easy move, but we love it now and appreciate every moment we went through. It taught us a lot for sure, and we made the American dream happen.
As entrepreneurs, what challenges did you face while establishing and managing multiple businesses, especially in the restaurant industry?
To keep up with other restaurants who serve the same food, to keep up with the new trends that come out every month, it’s really hard to find employees as well in Los Angeles as you know, we have a solid team now but we need to grow our team more so we can be more hands on everything from A to Z.
And always remember customers always right, But at same time you can’t make everyone happy or pleased, we try as much as we can to make everyone happy but it’s impossible.
Considering your diverse work history, from a UPS store to the film industry, how did those experiences shape your approach to business today?
I loved every moment about those jobs,1. I’ve done work I would never ever do in my life or learn if I wasn’t in that situation, 2. I met some nice people working there, and of course some mean people. It taught me a lot as well, that every dollar matters and counts. I used to barely make 300$ a week so I had to watch my spending and appreciate every dollar that I make. And spend it wisely.
And always said god willing, it will be better soon.
‘Twin Love’ explores if identical twins have similar romantic desires. Can you give us a glimpse into your own perspectives on love and relationships?
Falling in love and being in a relationship is the most beautiful thing that ever can happen to you, at the same time it’s the hardest thing and heartbreaking if it doesn’t work out, but as you know it can’t always be good and it can’t always be bad, we always have to go through up and downs we always do mistakes and that’s the only way we learn to be better people in life. I’d rather be in a relationship than be single and lost.
Being on a reality TV show can be intense. How did you navigate the drama and challenges presented in the show’s unique environment?
We just acted ourselves we didn’t change we didn’t fake anything, we showed everyone the real us how we live our lives on the daily and how we treat people in real life, yes it’s hard and intense to be surrounded in cameras 24 hours but you have to adjust to the new environment and live it like it’s part of your new lifestyle.
The first couple of days we didn’t even know how to talk on the cameras because we were so nervous.
Can you share any memorable or unexpected moments from your time on ‘Twin Love’ that viewers might not see on screen?
Our beach date me and baelee, our deep talks, me and David and our argument between me and Jair for silly things.
What do you think sets ‘Twin Love’ apart from other reality dating shows, and how does it contribute to the representation of twin relationships?
Everything that happened on the show was real and not scripted, we all put our hearts out and feelings and let them lead us. It is a new show and experience that has never ever been on tv before, people always wonder how twins live and now that’s a part of showing people how we live and what we go through in life.
With a successful restaurant chain like Crave Cafe, what advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the food industry?
If you don’t have a good experience and strategy and a new idea for food or restaurants don’t take the step. Restaurant business is one of the hardest to deal with but at the same time one of the most fun and good investment to see a good return back for your money. You need to be built for it to be able to run a restaurant.
How has the bond between you two as brothers influenced your partnership in business, and what lessons have you learned along the way?
We both are good at things so we help each other fix our mistakes and get the business better.
And as you know it’s the hardest to work with family but we made sure to manage that and not be an issue for us now or later. One team one goal one dream, never give up.
Moving forward, what are your goals and aspirations, both personally and professionally, after the experience on ‘Twin Love’?
One day both of us have family and kids and live happy and healthy and can take care of everyone around us from family to close friends.
Professionally, whatever comes our way we taking it, from new business, to new opportunities, to be on tv again. But in the right way and of course after talking about it with the family.
We want to grow our clothing brand more called DIFFRNT BEING and hopefully open more restaurants.
What are your plans for the Christmas Holidays?
We going to be taking a family trip to the snow to Mammoth
Then we come back to have Christmas Day with more family, gather all of us, eat, play games, good times.
Email:neill@outloudculture.com
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