Meet Eli Berchan | Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Eli Berchan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Eli, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I always had a dream to start my own business and the first one I started it; It was at the age of 27 from my parents dining room.
Before doing that, I used to be a part of Hotel pre-openings and they used to be very successful and then I said to myself if I can be part of a successful project, can’t I do my own project and be successful at it as well?

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I did the Hotel school In Switzerland, where I learned the culinary arts marketing and events management.
After this program, I moved back to the US and I worked for the Hyatt hotels in Atlanta. Soon after I moved to Dubai and I opened the first five star hotels named Raffles, then Yas Island project and finishing with Armani Hotel in the tallest building in the world.
It wasn’t easy to get to where I am. It was always a continuous learning curve. I had to internalize a lot of my emotions and get to look at the facts while accepting what I’m really good at and other areas of improvement.
As long as I can remember, I’ve been working 15-16 hours a day!
I would always attend conferences, listen to podcasts, webinars, take classes, read books, sit with mentors, have a therapist, and the list goes on …
Some of the lessons that I’ve learned along the way are that:
-When it’s not sunny and bright out there, not even your shadow will follow you.
-There is a joy in giving more than taking.
-People can forgive you, but they will never forget how you made them feel.
-I’d like people to know that I am a resilient entrepreneur. I’m not dead until I’m dead.
-I have started all over again, three times rising through the ashes just like a phoenix.
-The sky is the limit if you can dream it, you can make it.
-Don’t think about all the problems that can hinder the process think about the solutions.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m not sure if it’s a question I’d like to answer 🙂
But if I have to say what I have in mind:
I would definitely take them to see the landmarks of Los Angeles, such as Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Malibu, Laguna, Santa Monica pier, Santa Barbara…
In terms of food, I would take them to New International Cuisines with fusion as well as little mom and pop places
At night, some drinks at the roof tops

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My wife Stephanie, My Sister Nancy and my investor Ferris.

Website: https://Www.eliberchan.com

Instagram: @elieberchan

Yelp: Sumac cuisine

Other: I have 3 businesses:

Eli Berchan wedding and event creation
Sumac Mediterranean cuisine – Restaurant
Sumac cuisine – Catering company