RISING from the scratch is both a struggle and a blessing.
“Everything that I had was lost. Equipment..name.. practically almost all of my assets. I was defaced. But Alhamdulillah, by the Grace of Almighty Allah, graces and opportunities keep pouring in after that,” shared Wadiyulkhair "Wadiy" Vapor, a young restaurateur.
The Start
Vapor said that right after he graduated from Notre Dame of Midsayap, he engaged into peddling canned goods and kitchen tools.
“It was strenuous but it made me feel that good earning can be sought through sweat and eloquence. I yearned for more,” the young businessman said.
After pursuing his Master’s degree in Management in Southern Christian College, Vapor worked in a United Nation-funded project in Muslim areas. He then went to the seminary in the Jesuit Prenovitiate house and learned few important “life hacks.”
After years of employment, Vapor felt tired of the routine and pursued the desire of engaging into the food business, a turning point of his life.
He then started a colorful journey as one of the food business industry players in Davao City.
The struggle
The 37-year-old businessman who was raised in Poblacion, Libungan, Cotabato City began his first food business venture in 2008 when he was still 29.
He was one of the founders of Zabadani Café, a Halal ethnic restaurant in Davao City.
“I started Zabadani in 2008 with my cousin and drew a distinct Davao crowd who aided us in setting foot in the Davao food and beverage cuisine,” he said.
It was first established along Rizal Street, this city, then transferred to C. Bangoy St. (formerly Ponciano Reyes St.) and then to Gaisano Mall of Davao. In 2015, the halal restaurant moved to Marfori Heights.
He added that in that same year (2015), the restaurant was incorporated.
The move, he shared, started his struggle wherein he faced tougher challenges.
“We had misunderstanding with our business partners,” Vapor shared.
He said almost all his hardwork were put to waste but that circumstance did not stop him to strive harder and aim higher.
The blessings
After dealing with all the frustrations, Vapor realized to dwell more on the brighter side and connect even more to God Almighty.
He opened middle this year a new Halal restaurant, the Baitul Halal located at Quezon Boulevard corner Roxas Avenue (former Timeless Treasures building).
“I am an industrial partner here where all of my recipes loved by that distinct Davao crowd yearning for a healthy restaurant are offered. We are going international cuisine now with our three in-house chefs who are schooled and seasoned,” he said.
In leading a business, Vapor said that challenges and problems are inevitable, part of the process.
“There are a lot of things that is within and beyond our control. Practically, working on within our control with a proper goal keep you going, in Sha Allah,” he said.
As young as he is in the industry, he said that a good leader, in the restaurant setting, is a trained entrepreneur at an early age, sees everything as opportunity; educated; and prays very hard to God.
“Few of the tricks I have learned is that silence enables you to listen to what your heart desires and decipher enormous opportunities around you,” he said.
He added that getting a good education, seasoning oneself with experience in working with different cultures and races, and the will to overcome the odds helped him stand up again.
As a restaurateur, Vapor hopes to develop few more brands with specific niches and particular response to the ever-demanding consumer and become the first halal chain of restaurants and fastfoods in the country.
He kept on repeating “In sha Allah, (God willing)”.
Through the years, Vapor, as a businessman, person and son of “Allah” have imbued practicality with spirituality.
“That if we do things well, it shall produce good. And if something bad happens, it will still lead to something good beyond imagination,” he said.