From Struggle to Strength: Lebanon’s Agro-entrepreneurs in Uncertain Times

The war on Lebanon, while selective and impacting some sectors less than others, has left no sector untouched. Niche businesses in the real economy — those small, specialized enterprises that often represent the heart of the community — are more vulnerable than large enterprises. And previously rising agro-entrepreneurs – ventures which in the 2010s were nurtured as startups and who were the darlings of external funders during the economic crisis of the past five years, are among the hardest hit. Take for example a niche venture that debuted seven years ago. “The Good Thymes started with a simple focus on zaatar, but it became more than just a product line—it’s a connection to our culture,” says Fady Aziz, founder of The Good Thymes, a Lebanese agricultural company with a focus on producing all things Zaatar. The digitally savvy venture has grown to the level of operating a proprietary retail outlet