Mazen Kanaan shortlisted for the prestigious Entrepreneur of the Year at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2024
Everyone’s favourite disruptive treat brand, House of Pops, is receiving more award recognition after co-founder Mazen Kanaan has been shortlisted as potential Entrepreneur of the Year at the Arabian Business Achievement Awards 2024.
The Arabian Business Awards, held at Atlantis The Royal on January 25, 2024, will acknowledge and celebrate outstanding individuals and organisations across a wide range of categories.
The shortlist reveal took place recently at Aura Skypool Dubai, where business luminaries, industry leaders and distinguished guests gathered to witness the unveiling.
Winners will be chosen by an elite group of judges from among the business, professional and academic community across the Middle East.
Mazen says: “I am truly honoured to be shortlisted for this award. It’s really a testament to the hard work we’ve all been putting behind the brand, to build it into the leading health & wellness ice cream.
As the business head, he constantly strives to push the team to be their best selves – whether through challenging thought processes, sending podcasts that open the team’s minds to new perspectives, and celebrating the wins and overcoming the losses together.
This culture makes sure everyone can, and more importantly is motivated to, contribute their absolute best by offering a flex-work model, truly prioritising a work-life balance. With the team and spirit in place, Mazen is gearing up to pivot House of Pops into the future through local and international geographic expansion, brand building, innovative range extensions, and private labeling.
As the company expands, the business and founders have been recognised and celebrated along the way. House of Pops won the MEED SME of the Year Award in 2022. In 2023, the range was also awarded two gold stars with International Taste Institute – highlighting the quality and taste experience of the pops. Mazen received recognition from Images Retail Middle East E-commerce Yearbook 2023 for his strategy in driving House of Pops’s growth in that channel.
Bloomberg recognised the brand as “taking over the Middle East”, acknowledging House of Pops’s current growth and future strategy.
Throughout the years, Mazen’s leadership has truly driven the business forward, from humble beginnings at the Ripe Market, to a currently multi-million-dollar brand with strong plans for future growth. He has been building a brand and business that will offer healthy happy treats for all, without discrimination.