I was born in a very small little country animal is called Lebanon to some
country animal is called Lebanon to some
country animal is called Lebanon to some people they do not know where Lebanon
people they do not know where Lebanon
people they do not know where Lebanon was these two mistaken it with Libya and
was these two mistaken it with Libya and
was these two mistaken it with Libya and they used to go to me and say hmm you
they used to go to me and say hmm you
they used to go to me and say hmm you have lots of deserts you have days you
have lots of deserts you have days you
have lots of deserts you have days you have sand dunes and so on say no no no
have sand dunes and so on say no no no
have sand dunes and so on say no no no no no no this is Libya oh yeah yeah yeah
no no no this is Libya oh yeah yeah yeah
no no no this is Libya oh yeah yeah yeah yeah it’s Lebanon no no this is Lebanon
yeah it’s Lebanon no no this is Lebanon
yeah it’s Lebanon no no this is Lebanon it’s a beautiful little country is to be
it’s a beautiful little country is to be
it’s a beautiful little country is to be called Switzerland the East people used
called Switzerland the East people used
called Switzerland the East people used to go to ski in the morning drive 45
to go to ski in the morning drive 45
to go to ski in the morning drive 45 minutes to the beach and they swim in
minutes to the beach and they swim in
minutes to the beach and they swim in the Mediterranean and sample the lovely
the Mediterranean and sample the lovely
the Mediterranean and sample the lovely Lebanese cuisine it was a beautiful
Lebanese cuisine it was a beautiful
Lebanese cuisine it was a beautiful country to live in at a time were like
country to live in at a time were like
country to live in at a time were like heaven for children it was free there
heaven for children it was free there
heaven for children it was free there were no restrictions it was safe and it
were no restrictions it was safe and it
were no restrictions it was safe and it was great for a little child to dream
was great for a little child to dream
was great for a little child to dream one day something magical happened to me
one day something magical happened to me
one day something magical happened to me when I was about around five or so I was
when I was about around five or so I was
when I was about around five or so I was in their garden my mum bless her heart
in their garden my mum bless her heart
in their garden my mum bless her heart was preparing lunch which usually takes
was preparing lunch which usually takes
was preparing lunch which usually takes about three hours to complete and ten
about three hours to complete and ten
about three hours to complete and ten minutes to consume and all of a sudden
minutes to consume and all of a sudden
minutes to consume and all of a sudden something happened I heard noise in the
something happened I heard noise in the
something happened I heard noise in the sky I looked up and I saw this massive
sky I looked up and I saw this massive
sky I looked up and I saw this massive thing flying past I was so dumb fell by
thing flying past I was so dumb fell by
thing flying past I was so dumb fell by it so I rushed back to the kitchen and I
it so I rushed back to the kitchen and I
it so I rushed back to the kitchen and I tell my mom listen I saw something
tell my mom listen I saw something
tell my mom listen I saw something really amazing amazing and this guy was
really amazing amazing and this guy was
really amazing amazing and this guy was great was green was blue was aa
great was green was blue was aa
great was green was blue was aa beautiful beautiful mom okay okay go
beautiful beautiful mom okay okay go
beautiful beautiful mom okay okay go play outside so I go outside wait for
play outside so I go outside wait for
play outside so I go outside wait for the second one to come Wow did I rush
the second one to come Wow did I rush
the second one to come Wow did I rush back again BAM you have no idea but she
back again BAM you have no idea but she
back again BAM you have no idea but she has a knife in her hand and she’s
has a knife in her hand and she’s
has a knife in her hand and she’s chopping map it’s amazing it was so low
chopping map it’s amazing it was so low
chopping map it’s amazing it was so low I could touch it if you let me go
I could touch it if you let me go
I could touch it if you let me go upstairs to the roof I could actually
upstairs to the roof I could actually
upstairs to the roof I could actually touch it was an incredible thing yeah
touch it was an incredible thing yeah
touch it was an incredible thing yeah yeah go play outside but about the third
yeah go play outside but about the third
yeah go play outside but about the third time she shut the door was a French
time she shut the door was a French
time she shut the door was a French window doors and I didn’t even see it
window doors and I didn’t even see it
window doors and I didn’t even see it was closed so I ran back to tell her
was closed so I ran back to tell her
was closed so I ran back to tell her bang hit my head fell on the floor she
bang hit my head fell on the floor she
bang hit my head fell on the floor she looked at me smiled and I was still
looked at me smiled and I was still
looked at me smiled and I was still outside jumping around trying to tell
outside jumping around trying to tell
outside jumping around trying to tell her what I saw something happened at
her what I saw something happened at
her what I saw something happened at that day I fell in love like any person
that day I fell in love like any person
that day I fell in love like any person fall in love for the first time
fall in love for the first time
fall in love for the first time unfortunately was not a girl it was a
unfortunately was not a girl it was a
unfortunately was not a girl it was a metal machine so I asked my dad what was
metal machine so I asked my dad what was
metal machine so I asked my dad what was that he said that’s an aero plane it
that he said that’s an aero plane it
that he said that’s an aero plane it goes to the airport and say what’s an
goes to the airport and say what’s an
goes to the airport and say what’s an airport this is where they land could he
airport this is where they land could he
airport this is where they land could he take me there No
take me there No
take me there No could I do something to make you take me
could I do something to make you take me
could I do something to make you take me there well you can give me massage if
there well you can give me massage if
there well you can give me massage if you like
you like
you like so again massage for a long time and
so again massage for a long time and
so again massage for a long time and then he took me to the airport and all
then he took me to the airport and all
then he took me to the airport and all I’ve done for a few hours just like this
I’ve done for a few hours just like this
I’ve done for a few hours just like this on a balcony watching aeroplanes and in
on a balcony watching aeroplanes and in
on a balcony watching aeroplanes and in dreamland I knew there and then I wanted
dreamland I knew there and then I wanted
dreamland I knew there and then I wanted to be near these machines time passed
to be near these machines time passed
to be near these machines time passed and I felt the urge to go and visit the
and I felt the urge to go and visit the
and I felt the urge to go and visit the airport more often so I used to actually
airport more often so I used to actually
airport more often so I used to actually escape school and I used to hitchhike
escape school and I used to hitchhike
escape school and I used to hitchhike That’s not me by the way is my double so
That’s not me by the way is my double so
That’s not me by the way is my double so I used to hitchhike to the airport and
I used to hitchhike to the airport and
I used to hitchhike to the airport and sit and watch aeroplanes and when I
sit and watch aeroplanes and when I
sit and watch aeroplanes and when I needed money to buy food I used to go
needed money to buy food I used to go
needed money to buy food I used to go and harass incoming tourists by carrying
and harass incoming tourists by carrying
and harass incoming tourists by carrying the luggage and they give me money and
the luggage and they give me money and
the luggage and they give me money and that’s how I bought my food and took a
that’s how I bought my food and took a
that’s how I bought my food and took a bus back to the school and then the bus
bus back to the school and then the bus
bus back to the school and then the bus back home always give very well but like
back home always give very well but like
back home always give very well but like everything that is good in life there’s
everything that is good in life there’s
everything that is good in life there’s always a challenge and there’s a
always a challenge and there’s a
always a challenge and there’s a downfall
downfall
downfall one day the unfortunately the civil war
one day the unfortunately the civil war
one day the unfortunately the civil war has started and all life has changed and
has started and all life has changed and
has started and all life has changed and unknown to me like to thousands of other
unknown to me like to thousands of other
unknown to me like to thousands of other children our childhood died my parents
children our childhood died my parents
children our childhood died my parents were humble parents of poor background
were humble parents of poor background
were humble parents of poor background they have lost their firstborn six
they have lost their firstborn six
they have lost their firstborn six months after birth my next brother had
months after birth my next brother had
months after birth my next brother had polio at the age of three so my father
polio at the age of three so my father
polio at the age of three so my father and mother had to work day and night to
and mother had to work day and night to
and mother had to work day and night to pay for like medical bills for medicine
pay for like medical bills for medicine
pay for like medical bills for medicine they even sold their wedding rings to
they even sold their wedding rings to
they even sold their wedding rings to pay for the medication and all this I
pay for the medication and all this I
pay for the medication and all this I was looking at and I was observing every
was looking at and I was observing every
was looking at and I was observing every single day and I wanted to do something
single day and I wanted to do something
single day and I wanted to do something to help but I couldn’t know what to do I
to help but I couldn’t know what to do I
to help but I couldn’t know what to do I was still a child I was afraid that
was still a child I was afraid that
was still a child I was afraid that something will happen to my family and
something will happen to my family and
something will happen to my family and they will die because of the bombing
they will die because of the bombing
they will die because of the bombing then they go out to bring us food so I
then they go out to bring us food so I
then they go out to bring us food so I decided to do something to help them
decided to do something to help them
decided to do something to help them from time to time I go up to the airport
from time to time I go up to the airport
from time to time I go up to the airport to watch aeroplanes and when the you
to watch aeroplanes and when the you
to watch aeroplanes and when the you know the war starts again I stop and
know the war starts again I stop and
know the war starts again I stop and then I joined up as a child soldier like
then I joined up as a child soldier like
then I joined up as a child soldier like this little boy down there with an m16
this little boy down there with an m16
this little boy down there with an m16 with this power in my hand I could go to
with this power in my hand I could go to
with this power in my hand I could go to any hospital and I could force the
any hospital and I could force the
any hospital and I could force the doctors to help my brother I could go to
doctors to help my brother I could go to
doctors to help my brother I could go to any chemist and force any chemist to
any chemist and force any chemist to
any chemist and force any chemist to give us medicine for free I can go to
give us medicine for free I can go to
give us medicine for free I can go to any bakery and get bread free of charge
any bakery and get bread free of charge
any bakery and get bread free of charge but that meant I had to fight and I had
but that meant I had to fight and I had
but that meant I had to fight and I had to watch all my friends from school who
to watch all my friends from school who
to watch all my friends from school who were fighting as well die next to me
were fighting as well die next to me
were fighting as well die next to me I don’t understand why the war was there
I don’t understand why the war was there
I don’t understand why the war was there we were all living very happily together
we were all living very happily together
we were all living very happily together all of a sudden like somebody switched a
all of a sudden like somebody switched a
all of a sudden like somebody switched a light and we have hatred everywhere but
light and we have hatred everywhere but
light and we have hatred everywhere but for me was more about survival and
for me was more about survival and
for me was more about survival and trying to help my family after the
trying to help my family after the
trying to help my family after the fighting intensified I realized if I
fighting intensified I realized if I
fighting intensified I realized if I don’t get out I will die and I’ll be
don’t get out I will die and I’ll be
don’t get out I will die and I’ll be buried like my friends so I start to
buried like my friends so I start to
buried like my friends so I start to scheme my escape and I’ve decided to
scheme my escape and I’ve decided to
scheme my escape and I’ve decided to travel to England I was around 17 years
travel to England I was around 17 years
travel to England I was around 17 years old and I started to work during the
old and I started to work during the
old and I started to work during the peace or lull in the fighting I used to
peace or lull in the fighting I used to
peace or lull in the fighting I used to work on ships and the ship hulls I used
work on ships and the ship hulls I used
work on ships and the ship hulls I used to carry a lot of cartons of oil and
to carry a lot of cartons of oil and
to carry a lot of cartons of oil and cigarettes and then start up at 7 in the
cigarettes and then start up at 7 in the
cigarettes and then start up at 7 in the afternoon carry thee the packages run
afternoon carry thee the packages run
afternoon carry thee the packages run around give it to one child run back
around give it to one child run back
around give it to one child run back carry another and then run back to the
carry another and then run back to the
carry another and then run back to the next child give it to him like this from
next child give it to him like this from
next child give it to him like this from 7:00 in the morning till about 7:00 in
7:00 in the morning till about 7:00 in
7:00 in the morning till about 7:00 in the evening to about 8:00 in the morning
the evening to about 8:00 in the morning
the evening to about 8:00 in the morning and then I take my money go to my mom
and then I take my money go to my mom
and then I take my money go to my mom and say mom take this I give her half of
and say mom take this I give her half of
and say mom take this I give her half of it and said please go and spend it on
it and said please go and spend it on
it and said please go and spend it on yourself don’t spend it on us as you do
yourself don’t spend it on us as you do
yourself don’t spend it on us as you do this is for you and the rest of the
this is for you and the rest of the
this is for you and the rest of the money I kept it with this money I bought
money I kept it with this money I bought
money I kept it with this money I bought my ticket to fly to London I never told
my ticket to fly to London I never told
my ticket to fly to London I never told my parents I was going to fly here my
my parents I was going to fly here my
my parents I was going to fly here my dream of flying has been ignited and I
dream of flying has been ignited and I
dream of flying has been ignited and I was so anxious to go travel and get on
was so anxious to go travel and get on
was so anxious to go travel and get on with it I was not afraid nor worried I
with it I was not afraid nor worried I
with it I was not afraid nor worried I broke the news my parents the night
broke the news my parents the night
broke the news my parents the night before I was meant to fly over dinner
before I was meant to fly over dinner
before I was meant to fly over dinner my father bless his heart he cursed me
my father bless his heart he cursed me
my father bless his heart he cursed me and I don’t know how many languages my
and I don’t know how many languages my
and I don’t know how many languages my mother joined up and they used emotional
mother joined up and they used emotional
mother joined up and they used emotional torment to try and stop me going you’d
torment to try and stop me going you’d
torment to try and stop me going you’d leave it Yoshio your brother died that
leave it Yoshio your brother died that
leave it Yoshio your brother died that you would leave us wait you want to go
you would leave us wait you want to go
you would leave us wait you want to go you’re only 17 you can’t speak English
you’re only 17 you can’t speak English
you’re only 17 you can’t speak English we have no friends we have no relations
we have no friends we have no relations
we have no friends we have no relations you have no money what do you want to do
you have no money what do you want to do
you have no money what do you want to do there do you think the Brits are going
there do you think the Brits are going
there do you think the Brits are going to say hello Jack come here we will help
to say hello Jack come here we will help
to say hello Jack come here we will help you no problem no I said you have two
you no problem no I said you have two
you no problem no I said you have two choices I die and you bury me in a month
choices I die and you bury me in a month
choices I die and you bury me in a month or I could go and make my dream come
or I could go and make my dream come
or I could go and make my dream come true reluctantly they agreed and I went
true reluctantly they agreed and I went
true reluctantly they agreed and I went to Beirut Airport as a passenger this
to Beirut Airport as a passenger this
to Beirut Airport as a passenger this time I got up to the aircraft my heart
time I got up to the aircraft my heart
time I got up to the aircraft my heart was beating so much as if I was going to
was beating so much as if I was going to
was beating so much as if I was going to my first love date and I went to the
my first love date and I went to the
my first love date and I went to the aircraft I touched it to make sure it’s
aircraft I touched it to make sure it’s
aircraft I touched it to make sure it’s real I look back at this Airport for the
real I look back at this Airport for the
real I look back at this Airport for the last time and I looked up to heaven I
last time and I looked up to heaven I
last time and I looked up to heaven I said I swear
said I swear
said I swear by heaven I will never return unless I
by heaven I will never return unless I
by heaven I will never return unless I succeed and I’m a pilot
succeed and I’m a pilot
succeed and I’m a pilot and I knew therein then even at the age
and I knew therein then even at the age
and I knew therein then even at the age of 17 that I will do it if I don’t make
of 17 that I will do it if I don’t make
of 17 that I will do it if I don’t make it I will not come back
it I will not come back
it I will not come back so arrived to London I don’t know how
so arrived to London I don’t know how
so arrived to London I don’t know how they let me in but they did and my
they let me in but they did and my
they let me in but they did and my probably my looks and then I thought to
probably my looks and then I thought to
probably my looks and then I thought to myself where do I go from here 90 pounds
myself where do I go from here 90 pounds
myself where do I go from here 90 pounds of micro pockets don’t get me anywhere
of micro pockets don’t get me anywhere
of micro pockets don’t get me anywhere and I can’t speak English but where
and I can’t speak English but where
and I can’t speak English but where there’s a will there’s a way and I will
there’s a will there’s a way and I will
there’s a will there’s a way and I will find a way looking around
find a way looking around
find a way looking around I saw a phone box in the airport in a
I saw a phone box in the airport in a
I saw a phone box in the airport in a terminal with books I went and had a
terminal with books I went and had a
terminal with books I went and had a look at the books and an idea came to my
look at the books and an idea came to my
look at the books and an idea came to my mind what if I find a Lebanese surname
mind what if I find a Lebanese surname
mind what if I find a Lebanese surname in there and I can call them up I can
in there and I can call them up I can
in there and I can call them up I can tell them my story maybe they will help
tell them my story maybe they will help
tell them my story maybe they will help me okay so I did and a guy answered the
me okay so I did and a guy answered the
me okay so I did and a guy answered the phone and I told him the story yeah no
phone and I told him the story yeah no
phone and I told him the story yeah no problem take a tax income to to us we
problem take a tax income to to us we
problem take a tax income to to us we are in Queensgate Terrace in Gloucester
are in Queensgate Terrace in Gloucester
are in Queensgate Terrace in Gloucester Road I got there knocked on a door
Road I got there knocked on a door
Road I got there knocked on a door imagine the scene young kid slim
imagine the scene young kid slim
imagine the scene young kid slim suitcases door open up a guy looks at me
suitcases door open up a guy looks at me
suitcases door open up a guy looks at me his jaw drop and he said tell me this is
his jaw drop and he said tell me this is
his jaw drop and he said tell me this is a joke so what do you mean he said tell
a joke so what do you mean he said tell
a joke so what do you mean he said tell me this is a joke said no no I’m here
me this is a joke said no no I’m here
me this is a joke said no no I’m here I’ve got nowhere else to go I got no
I’ve got nowhere else to go I got no
I’ve got nowhere else to go I got no money so pay you can’t stay here
money so pay you can’t stay here
money so pay you can’t stay here I thought somebody’s playing a prank on
I thought somebody’s playing a prank on
I thought somebody’s playing a prank on me and I accepted and I’m gonna head
me and I accepted and I’m gonna head
me and I accepted and I’m gonna head with it I didn’t realize your real like
with it I didn’t realize your real like
with it I didn’t realize your real like in the movie we Shrek you know of the
in the movie we Shrek you know of the
in the movie we Shrek you know of the cat with the eyes I did it it worked so
cat with the eyes I did it it worked so
cat with the eyes I did it it worked so he let me stay so I stayed in there and
he let me stay so I stayed in there and
he let me stay so I stayed in there and my journey of entrepreneurship has begun
my journey of entrepreneurship has begun
my journey of entrepreneurship has begun I decided this is where I need to start
I decided this is where I need to start
I decided this is where I need to start the journey so I started work in
the journey so I started work in
the journey so I started work in restaurants day and night save money and
restaurants day and night save money and
restaurants day and night save money and went to flying schools to learn to fly
went to flying schools to learn to fly
went to flying schools to learn to fly but what that meant I run out of money
but what that meant I run out of money
but what that meant I run out of money every week so I work for a whole week
every week so I work for a whole week
every week so I work for a whole week and the money I make only pays for one
and the money I make only pays for one
and the money I make only pays for one flying hour and that meant I couldn’t
flying hour and that meant I couldn’t
flying hour and that meant I couldn’t afford to pay my rent I couldn’t afford
afford to pay my rent I couldn’t afford
afford to pay my rent I couldn’t afford to pay electricity I can afford to pay
to pay electricity I can afford to pay
to pay electricity I can afford to pay gas and often for about one and a half
gas and often for about one and a half
gas and often for about one and a half years I was homeless I slept on park
years I was homeless I slept on park
years I was homeless I slept on park benches at Richmond and when it was
benches at Richmond and when it was
benches at Richmond and when it was raining and cold
raining and cold
raining and cold I used to shelter in a foam box and when
I used to shelter in a foam box and when
I used to shelter in a foam box and when the police was around I was used to walk
the police was around I was used to walk
the police was around I was used to walk around to pretend I was out from a
around to pretend I was out from a
around to pretend I was out from a nightclub or so and then go back to the
nightclub or so and then go back to the
nightclub or so and then go back to the bench and sleep for one and a half years
bench and sleep for one and a half years
bench and sleep for one and a half years on and off on and off but when I was so
on and off on and off but when I was so
on and off on and off but when I was so depressed
depressed
depressed go down and so lonely I had the vision
go down and so lonely I had the vision
go down and so lonely I had the vision of my parents and why I wanted to
of my parents and why I wanted to
of my parents and why I wanted to succeed in sort of kept me going and it
succeed in sort of kept me going and it
succeed in sort of kept me going and it gave me the courage and stamina to do
gave me the courage and stamina to do
gave me the courage and stamina to do something I didn’t need anybody to help
something I didn’t need anybody to help
something I didn’t need anybody to help me I will do it on my own
me I will do it on my own
me I will do it on my own persistence paid and eventually I got my
persistence paid and eventually I got my
persistence paid and eventually I got my pilot’s license hooray though I can fly
pilot’s license hooray though I can fly
pilot’s license hooray though I can fly aeroplanes but I needed to fly 650 hours
aeroplanes but I needed to fly 650 hours
aeroplanes but I needed to fly 650 hours to become an airline pilot or a
to become an airline pilot or a
to become an airline pilot or a commercial pilot so I got myself a job
commercial pilot so I got myself a job
commercial pilot so I got myself a job as an aerial photographer I never done
as an aerial photographer I never done
as an aerial photographer I never done photography in my life but when I went
photography in my life but when I went
photography in my life but when I went to the interview I convinced him that
to the interview I convinced him that
to the interview I convinced him that I’m the best photographer that ever got
I’m the best photographer that ever got
I’m the best photographer that ever got created by remembering the adverts on
created by remembering the adverts on
created by remembering the adverts on the on the TV okay they gave me the job
the on the TV okay they gave me the job
the on the TV okay they gave me the job I built my 650 hours I was there I was
I built my 650 hours I was there I was
I built my 650 hours I was there I was going to become a commercial pilot and
going to become a commercial pilot and
going to become a commercial pilot and then my license was revoked by the Civil
then my license was revoked by the Civil
then my license was revoked by the Civil Aviation Authority they said you will
Aviation Authority they said you will
Aviation Authority they said you will never fly again because I broke every
never fly again because I broke every
never fly again because I broke every rule in the book when trying to film
rule in the book when trying to film
rule in the book when trying to film houses and property at very low altitude
houses and property at very low altitude
houses and property at very low altitude and a couple of occasions I almost had
and a couple of occasions I almost had
and a couple of occasions I almost had collisions with the police helicopters
collisions with the police helicopters
collisions with the police helicopters and once the RAF used me as a target
and once the RAF used me as a target
and once the RAF used me as a target practice in Wales so they said that’s it
practice in Wales so they said that’s it
practice in Wales so they said that’s it you’re never gonna fly again came out of
you’re never gonna fly again came out of
you’re never gonna fly again came out of court
court
court I was really distraught I was so angry
I was really distraught I was so angry
I was really distraught I was so angry at God and life I crossed the roads I
at God and life I crossed the roads I
at God and life I crossed the roads I wish the bus would hit me and my life
wish the bus would hit me and my life
wish the bus would hit me and my life there and then because I thought they
there and then because I thought they
there and then because I thought they said is finished I’m never going to go
said is finished I’m never going to go
said is finished I’m never going to go back anymore it’s done and then like
back anymore it’s done and then like
back anymore it’s done and then like life does teach you there is a way out
life does teach you there is a way out
life does teach you there is a way out if you take a step back open your eyes
if you take a step back open your eyes
if you take a step back open your eyes open your ears you will hear something
open your ears you will hear something
open your ears you will hear something life will show you away so I used to
life will show you away so I used to
life will show you away so I used to travel trying to fix myself get out of
travel trying to fix myself get out of
travel trying to fix myself get out of depression by that time I lost all my
depression by that time I lost all my
depression by that time I lost all my friends you know it’s amazing when you
friends you know it’s amazing when you
friends you know it’s amazing when you run out of money how quickly your
run out of money how quickly your
run out of money how quickly your friends disappear so I thought never
friends disappear so I thought never
friends disappear so I thought never mind I will get back I will get back so
mind I will get back I will get back so
mind I will get back I will get back so I went to apply for jobs I never got any
I went to apply for jobs I never got any
I went to apply for jobs I never got any jobs my depression got worse and worse
jobs my depression got worse and worse
jobs my depression got worse and worse the bailiffs have taken almost
the bailiffs have taken almost
the bailiffs have taken almost everything from me I was living
everything from me I was living
everything from me I was living practically on the floor and I thought
practically on the floor and I thought
practically on the floor and I thought never mind I will find a way there must
never mind I will find a way there must
never mind I will find a way there must be a way
be a way
be a way one day I tee through I was sitting
one day I tee through I was sitting
one day I tee through I was sitting there in depression really sad homeless
there in depression really sad homeless
there in depression really sad homeless again because I run out of money to pay
again because I run out of money to pay
again because I run out of money to pay for my flat so I was out on the streets
for my flat so I was out on the streets
for my flat so I was out on the streets again and the middle of it I looked at
again and the middle of it I looked at
again and the middle of it I looked at this error
this error
this error plain an asshole I’m gonna start my own
plain an asshole I’m gonna start my own
plain an asshole I’m gonna start my own airline nobody wants to give me a job
airline nobody wants to give me a job
airline nobody wants to give me a job then so be it
then so be it
then so be it I will start my own airline and what’s
I will start my own airline and what’s
I will start my own airline and what’s more I’m gonna fly with my own aircraft
more I’m gonna fly with my own aircraft
more I’m gonna fly with my own aircraft not as a pilot and so I did by the time
not as a pilot and so I did by the time
not as a pilot and so I did by the time I took the bus from Heathrow to Harrow I
I took the bus from Heathrow to Harrow I
I took the bus from Heathrow to Harrow I already worked out how to start an
already worked out how to start an
already worked out how to start an airline I started calling Airlines and
airline I started calling Airlines and
airline I started calling Airlines and say how do you do business where’d you
say how do you do business where’d you
say how do you do business where’d you get your airplanes from how do you
get your airplanes from how do you
get your airplanes from how do you recruit your pilot’s and I’m taking
recruit your pilot’s and I’m taking
recruit your pilot’s and I’m taking notes I go to CIA libraries I collect a
notes I go to CIA libraries I collect a
notes I go to CIA libraries I collect a lot of information I thought great I
lot of information I thought great I
lot of information I thought great I need an airline license or piece of cake
need an airline license or piece of cake
need an airline license or piece of cake I’ll get the license and cut long story
I’ll get the license and cut long story
I’ll get the license and cut long story short I managed to obtain an airline
short I managed to obtain an airline
short I managed to obtain an airline license with the help of one man called
license with the help of one man called
license with the help of one man called which should write that so I had it in
which should write that so I had it in
which should write that so I had it in my room which I was sharing in a house
my room which I was sharing in a house
my room which I was sharing in a house by that time I was broke I was with no
by that time I was broke I was with no
by that time I was broke I was with no furniture but I had the same airline
furniture but I had the same airline
furniture but I had the same airline license on my wall as British Airways
license on my wall as British Airways
license on my wall as British Airways not bad not bad and then I went and I
not bad not bad and then I went and I
not bad not bad and then I went and I managed to get the airline designated as
managed to get the airline designated as
managed to get the airline designated as the official national carrier of Great
the official national carrier of Great
the official national carrier of Great Britain to the Lebanon I convinced the
Britain to the Lebanon I convinced the
Britain to the Lebanon I convinced the Department of Transport I don’t know how
Department of Transport I don’t know how
Department of Transport I don’t know how talk about persistence pays it really
talk about persistence pays it really
talk about persistence pays it really does pay that I think they got sick and
does pay that I think they got sick and
does pay that I think they got sick and tired of me but they managed to
tired of me but they managed to
tired of me but they managed to designate my company as the official
designate my company as the official
designate my company as the official national carrier of Great Britain to the
national carrier of Great Britain to the
national carrier of Great Britain to the Lebanon and now all I needed was slots
Lebanon and now all I needed was slots
Lebanon and now all I needed was slots at Heathrow Airport as slot as a
at Heathrow Airport as slot as a
at Heathrow Airport as slot as a permission to land and takeoff that’s a
permission to land and takeoff that’s a
permission to land and takeoff that’s a slot and six million pounds piece of
slot and six million pounds piece of
slot and six million pounds piece of cake
cake
cake that’s it without any business
that’s it without any business
that’s it without any business experience never working for Airlines
experience never working for Airlines
experience never working for Airlines before no business processes in my mind
before no business processes in my mind
before no business processes in my mind just using common sense and gut feel and
just using common sense and gut feel and
just using common sense and gut feel and logic I managed to obtain slaughter
logic I managed to obtain slaughter
logic I managed to obtain slaughter Heathrow Airport for free when I went to
Heathrow Airport for free when I went to
Heathrow Airport for free when I went to actually get them the coordinator says
actually get them the coordinator says
actually get them the coordinator says you have to buy them you can’t get them
you have to buy them you can’t get them
you have to buy them you can’t get them for free I said how much thinking to
for free I said how much thinking to
for free I said how much thinking to myself are fifty thousand pounds
myself are fifty thousand pounds
myself are fifty thousand pounds piece of cake he says well if you want
piece of cake he says well if you want
piece of cake he says well if you want to fly on a Monday that’s six to twelve
to fly on a Monday that’s six to twelve
to fly on a Monday that’s six to twelve million pounds and I said what about
million pounds and I said what about
million pounds and I said what about Tuesday 6 to 12 million now so maybe was
Tuesday 6 to 12 million now so maybe was
Tuesday 6 to 12 million now so maybe was is cheaper so what about Wednesday 6 to
is cheaper so what about Wednesday 6 to
is cheaper so what about Wednesday 6 to 12 million pounds so I said I need to
12 million pounds so I said I need to
12 million pounds so I said I need to raise 70 million pounds so that I can
raise 70 million pounds so that I can
raise 70 million pounds so that I can fly daily from Heathrow said yep nothing
fly daily from Heathrow said yep nothing
fly daily from Heathrow said yep nothing for free nothing for free ok business is
for free nothing for free ok business is
for free nothing for free ok business is over I went out again thinking life is
over I went out again thinking life is
over I went out again thinking life is over archive I can get the slots I will
over archive I can get the slots I will
over archive I can get the slots I will never be able to raise the money and get
never be able to raise the money and get
never be able to raise the money and get the project going where there’s a will
the project going where there’s a will
the project going where there’s a will there’s a way and I swear I will find
there’s a way and I swear I will find
there’s a way and I swear I will find the way and I did I found the loophole
the way and I did I found the loophole
the way and I did I found the loophole in the EEC law at the time regarding
in the EEC law at the time regarding
in the EEC law at the time regarding competition and helping to break the
competition and helping to break the
competition and helping to break the monopoly operated markets using that law
monopoly operated markets using that law
monopoly operated markets using that law I was able to get slots at Heathrow they
I was able to get slots at Heathrow they
I was able to get slots at Heathrow they called me up they said this rumor you’ve
called me up they said this rumor you’ve
called me up they said this rumor you’ve got it so I got the paperwork and I
got it so I got the paperwork and I
got it so I got the paperwork and I stuck it on my wall right next to the
stuck it on my wall right next to the
stuck it on my wall right next to the airline license so I have an airline
airline license so I have an airline
airline license so I have an airline license 70 million pounds worth of slots
license 70 million pounds worth of slots
license 70 million pounds worth of slots but the bailiffs were there to remove my
but the bailiffs were there to remove my
but the bailiffs were there to remove my TV okay fine
TV okay fine
TV okay fine all I needed out is six million pounds
all I needed out is six million pounds
all I needed out is six million pounds where do you get six million pounds from
where do you get six million pounds from
where do you get six million pounds from so I looked hard I’ve been through so
so I looked hard I’ve been through so
so I looked hard I’ve been through so many meetings with banks I stopped
many meetings with banks I stopped
many meetings with banks I stopped counting the 50th refusal but I never
counting the 50th refusal but I never
counting the 50th refusal but I never gave up and eventually I found the man
gave up and eventually I found the man
gave up and eventually I found the man that liked what I was doing and he says
that liked what I was doing and he says
that liked what I was doing and he says I’ll put the money I almost fainted so
I’ll put the money I almost fainted so
I’ll put the money I almost fainted so he gave me a glass of wine just to
he gave me a glass of wine just to
he gave me a glass of wine just to revive me who was nice and then all of a
revive me who was nice and then all of a
revive me who was nice and then all of a sudden he did put six million pounds and
sudden he did put six million pounds and
sudden he did put six million pounds and what’s more he went down with me to
what’s more he went down with me to
what’s more he went down with me to Toulouse and we ordered a brand-new
Toulouse and we ordered a brand-new
Toulouse and we ordered a brand-new airbus a320 sixty-five million dollars
airbus a320 sixty-five million dollars
airbus a320 sixty-five million dollars and we flew back to the Lebanon I never
and we flew back to the Lebanon I never
and we flew back to the Lebanon I never told my family in all this time what I
told my family in all this time what I
told my family in all this time what I was doing
was doing
was doing they saw me on TV on the night that
they saw me on TV on the night that
they saw me on TV on the night that happened when I arrived when I went to
happened when I arrived when I went to
happened when I arrived when I went to see my family in a limousine and a
see my family in a limousine and a
see my family in a limousine and a driver my family stood there I stood
driver my family stood there I stood
driver my family stood there I stood back I looked at them they looked at me
back I looked at them they looked at me
back I looked at them they looked at me I didn’t know what to do
I didn’t know what to do
I didn’t know what to do what would you talk to your mom if you
what would you talk to your mom if you
what would you talk to your mom if you haven’t seen her for 15 years
haven’t seen her for 15 years
haven’t seen her for 15 years your dad is standing there aged tired 15
your dad is standing there aged tired 15
your dad is standing there aged tired 15 years what do i do do I run do I hug
years what do i do do I run do I hug
years what do i do do I run do I hug them by the time we managed to hold to
them by the time we managed to hold to
them by the time we managed to hold to each other
each other
each other tears flowing and for me my father being
tears flowing and for me my father being
tears flowing and for me my father being a very proud man I never heard him cry
a very proud man I never heard him cry
a very proud man I never heard him cry or seen him cry he was sobbing like a
or seen him cry he was sobbing like a
or seen him cry he was sobbing like a child I closed my eyes and only then I
child I closed my eyes and only then I
child I closed my eyes and only then I knew that the journey was for them it
knew that the journey was for them it
knew that the journey was for them it was worth it
was worth it
was worth it all the hardship all the suffering the
all the hardship all the suffering the
all the hardship all the suffering the homelessness the tiredness the
homelessness the tiredness the
homelessness the tiredness the loneliness was for them
loneliness was for them
loneliness was for them not for me then the airline went from
not for me then the airline went from
not for me then the airline went from strength to strength and we’ve operated
strength to strength and we’ve operated
strength to strength and we’ve operated with one aircraft 65 employees and
with one aircraft 65 employees and
with one aircraft 65 employees and within two years I managed to gain a
within two years I managed to gain a
within two years I managed to gain a franchise partnership with British
franchise partnership with British
franchise partnership with British Airways we’ve ordered three aircrafts
Airways we’ve ordered three aircrafts
Airways we’ve ordered three aircrafts and 165 employees by 2000
and 165 employees by 2000
and 165 employees by 2000 we won the Queen’s Enterprise award
we won the Queen’s Enterprise award
we won the Queen’s Enterprise award which was a like the Oscars for me I
which was a like the Oscars for me I
which was a like the Oscars for me I didn’t get any money out of it and and
didn’t get any money out of it and and
didn’t get any money out of it and and by 2004 we’ve had nine aircrafts
by 2004 we’ve had nine aircrafts
by 2004 we’ve had nine aircrafts operating out of Heathrow 217 countries
operating out of Heathrow 217 countries
operating out of Heathrow 217 countries over 21 destinations and over 750
over 21 destinations and over 750
over 21 destinations and over 750 employees so 750 households were living
employees so 750 households were living
employees so 750 households were living out of the idea of a young boy who came
out of the idea of a young boy who came
out of the idea of a young boy who came from Beirut that was the proudest thing
from Beirut that was the proudest thing
from Beirut that was the proudest thing in my life that I was able to give
in my life that I was able to give
in my life that I was able to give Britain something back for letting me in
Britain something back for letting me in
Britain something back for letting me in and keep my life by 2007 BM I bought my
and keep my life by 2007 BM I bought my
and keep my life by 2007 BM I bought my airline which I started for 6 million
airline which I started for 6 million
airline which I started for 6 million pounds they bought it for 30 million
pounds they bought it for 30 million
pounds they bought it for 30 million pounds not bad and then actually by 2011
pounds not bad and then actually by 2011
pounds not bad and then actually by 2011 the British Airways bought BMI including
the British Airways bought BMI including
the British Airways bought BMI including my airline as a part of the package for
my airline as a part of the package for
my airline as a part of the package for 275 million dollars and my airline was
275 million dollars and my airline was
275 million dollars and my airline was valued because of his assets of over 65
valued because of his assets of over 65
valued because of his assets of over 65 million pounds so had we waited to 2011
million pounds so had we waited to 2011
million pounds so had we waited to 2011 we could have sold it for double that
we could have sold it for double that
we could have sold it for double that money never mind
money never mind
money never mind hey so the aircraft still operate today
hey so the aircraft still operate today
hey so the aircraft still operate today within British Airways the only way you
within British Airways the only way you
within British Airways the only way you will know that this is my aircraft is
will know that this is my aircraft is
will know that this is my aircraft is the sign here it’s operated by be met
the sign here it’s operated by be met
the sign here it’s operated by be met and this is one BM I bought it and then
and this is one BM I bought it and then
and this is one BM I bought it and then this is when British Airways bought it
this is when British Airways bought it
this is when British Airways bought it back and then what did I do afterwards I
back and then what did I do afterwards I
back and then what did I do afterwards I took a long big holiday to rest but as
took a long big holiday to rest but as
took a long big holiday to rest but as any other entrepreneur would tell you
any other entrepreneur would tell you
any other entrepreneur would tell you they never sit still so I went around
they never sit still so I went around
they never sit still so I went around and I started other airlines around the
and I started other airlines around the
and I started other airlines around the world and something magical happened to
world and something magical happened to
world and something magical happened to me at that time I realised life is not
me at that time I realised life is not
me at that time I realised life is not about money only you can be successful
about money only you can be successful
about money only you can be successful in business but your life will be empty
in business but your life will be empty
in business but your life will be empty if emotionally as a human being you are
if emotionally as a human being you are
if emotionally as a human being you are empty and you have no success so I felt
empty and you have no success so I felt
empty and you have no success so I felt that life taught me all these in it’s
that life taught me all these in it’s
that life taught me all these in it’s time for me to give back so now what I
time for me to give back so now what I
time for me to give back so now what I do a lot in my time I help out
do a lot in my time I help out
do a lot in my time I help out businesses that are facing obstacles and
businesses that are facing obstacles and
businesses that are facing obstacles and problems to stay alive because if they
problems to stay alive because if they
problems to stay alive because if they stay alive that means there are no
stay alive that means there are no
stay alive that means there are no redundancies and we know that from
redundancies and we know that from
redundancies and we know that from redundancies there’s a lot of financial
redundancies there’s a lot of financial
redundancies there’s a lot of financial hardships which tend to cause families
hardships which tend to cause families
hardships which tend to cause families to break and I don’t want that to happen
to break and I don’t want that to happen
to break and I don’t want that to happen and the experience I have I pass on to
and the experience I have I pass on to
and the experience I have I pass on to the students I lecture at universities
the students I lecture at universities
the students I lecture at universities as well so I’m hoping that I can inspire
as well so I’m hoping that I can inspire
as well so I’m hoping that I can inspire the new generation of leaders and
the new generation of leaders and
the new generation of leaders and hopefully in turn that could help their
hopefully in turn that could help their
hopefully in turn that could help their families their community in their
families their community in their
families their community in their country and before I leave I would just
country and before I leave I would just
country and before I leave I would just show you this little article that was
show you this little article that was
show you this little article that was published 2016 as you can see in here
published 2016 as you can see in here
published 2016 as you can see in here American Airlines paid Scandinavian
American Airlines paid Scandinavian
American Airlines paid Scandinavian Airlines 40 million dollars for one pair
Airlines 40 million dollars for one pair
Airlines 40 million dollars for one pair of slot so that’s one take off on one
of slot so that’s one take off on one
of slot so that’s one take off on one landing now you work out the maths I
landing now you work out the maths I
landing now you work out the maths I have nine aircrafts flying daily out of
have nine aircrafts flying daily out of
have nine aircrafts flying daily out of Heathrow so if we sold the airline today
Heathrow so if we sold the airline today
Heathrow so if we sold the airline today what would it be it’s worth thank you
what would it be it’s worth thank you
what would it be it’s worth thank you very much indeed for listening
very much indeed for listening
very much indeed for listening [Applause]
”
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