Meet Natalie El Sabbagh—IC Class of 2017 alumna, AUB Business graduate, and fearless entrepreneur. Alongside her sister Aleen, she turned a pandemic-born idea into The Concept, a Beirut-based fashion brand now making waves locally and internationally. Their journey kicked off in 2020, right in the middle of COVID-19. While juggling final exams, Natalie found herself also managing production, marketing, logistics, and customer service—talk about multitasking! What started as a passion project soon became a full-fledged business. As demand soared, the sisters took a bold step: building their own manufacturing facility in Lebanon and assembling a powerhouse design and production team.

Growing up with an entrepreneurial father, they learned early on that risk-taking was part of the game. Natalie credits IC for shaping her resilience and problem-solving mindset, key ingredients in navigating challenges like Lebanon’s economic crisis. Giving up was never an option. Fast forward to today—The Concept has grown into a thriving business with over 70 employees. Natalie’s fondest IC memory? Being part of the Student Representative Council, where she honed leadership skills that would later shape her career.

Her message to fellow IC alumni?

Start that business!

Don’t wait for perfect conditions—watching your idea evolve and grow is the most exciting part of the journey.

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