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

Hi Hadeel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When the pandemic first started and my industry (film) was shut down, I had a lot of time to reflect and explore new hobbies. I used to love smelling candles at the stores but could never find scents that were unique or made with clean ingredients sustainably. I began to also realize that with the ongoing civil war in Syria and now what is happening in Palestine, that I would probably never get to go back and visit like I had been fortunate enough to do when I was younger. Bint El Jiran would become my love letter for my time spent in the Middle East and a way for me to share my heritage, memories and its beauty with others who may also never get to experience them now.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I have always been drawn to the arts. Being creative and making things excited me and gave me a sense of accomplishment. I remember when I told my parents I wanted to get my MFA for Directing and Screenwriting, they weren’t exactly excited but still supported my choice to enter a field neither of them were familiar with. After I graduated, I worked on numerous indie projects directing and producing. I also became a personal assistant to actors + directors, and then eventually transitioned to coordinating for Music Videos, Commercials and Films.

Though I had accomplished so much in my career in the industry, I still felt like something was missing. I had missed being creative. So when the pandemic happened, I began to explore other avenues and found my passion again.

It was nerve wracking to share my ideas, products and scents with people but the reception was overwhelming and I began to see that there was a hole in the market for my brand and its products. My time spent in the industry also proved very helpful in marketing and branding my company. I was able to implement skills and techniques I learned and picked up from school and working, giving me an advantage when launching.

My passion for sharing my culture and its beauty was my main objective but I also wanted to be able to give back to others while doing so. I made it a priority for my company to always donate a portion of its sales to organizations serving woman and providing educating for children so that others could also have the advantages and privileges I was so lucky to be afforded. To inspire other women to feel empowered to create and build something of their own as well.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
LA is such a diverse city and I think before moving here I didn’t realize how lucky I was. I am a nature girl and love exploring and hiking in Griffith park. You could spend hours and keep discovering new paths and trails. I also really enjoy the observatory and its stunning views of the city.

Definitely have to walk down Los Feliz area for a bite. Stamp Proper has the best food and a nice assortment so you never get bored. The boutiques have the cutest and most thoughtfully curated items that showcase the amazing talent of other small businesses.

Silverlake is another area that is great for exploring. Love to visit the plant nursery and grab a coffee. Echo park also has swan boats you can rent which is always fun.

Culver City is a great place to grab brunch and spend the day and maybe have pizza at Roberta’s later.

I love going to the aquarium and spending time at the marina in Long Beach. It is worth the drive and you can paddle board in the water or just visit a full size Target if you’re bored.

Huntington Gardens has been my go to escape from the city and you can easily spend the entire day there walking through all the gardens. You feel like you are transported to several countries at once. The museums on the property are gorgeous and I am always seeing new things each time I visit.

Lastly, what kind of itinerary is it without visiting Universal/a studio lot. Even though I’ve worked on numerous sets and lots, it’s still fun to see the behind the scenes and how they transform an ordinary looking street into a bustling NYC avenue.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to thank my parents. My mom for pushing me to take this risk in my life and career. For believing in me even when I couldn’t for myself. To my dad for giving me such an amazing diverse and cultural background to be inspired from and for always prioritizing that we spent time overseas to learn the language and experience the culture, even when we (kids) didn’t appreciate it at the time.

Website: www.binteljiran.com

Instagram: @bint_el_jiran

Other: TikTok: @binteljiran

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.