Exploring Life & Business with Leila Muhaizen of Baklava App

Today we’d like to introduce you to Leila Muhaizen. They and their team shared their story with us below:

Leila Muhaizen was born in Lebanon, but she’s now based in LA, where she founded the Baklava App — a dating and friendship app connecting Arabs and those interested in the Arab community in LA and beyond. Born of her own challenges within dating in the Arab world, which used to include frequent international travel to Arab countries to meet other Arab people, the Baklava App now connects Arabs from all different backgrounds and locations. Leila’s vision and commitment to fostering meaningful connections within this diverse and vibrant culture have driven Baklava’s development and success.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced this past year?
Continuing to encourage our members to be flexible with distance filters. Arabs are scattered all over the US, but are not necessarily present in every town or city. Push the boundaries and enjoy traveling because real love knows no distance, and the right partner is worth the effort.

As you know, we’re big fans of Baklava App. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Founded by the visionary entrepreneur Leila Muhaizen, Baklava App is the first and only app of its kind, catering specifically to Arabs from all walks of life, connecting potential love interests and friends without having to travel overseas. Since its launch in 2020, more than 100 million messages have been exchanged, and more than 10 million matches have been formed. In today’s fast-paced world, finding genuine connections and building meaningful relationships can often be a daunting task. Baklava aims to bridge this gap by providing a safe, inclusive, and culturally rich platform that celebrates the diversity of the Arab community. What sets Baklava apart is its commitment to inclusivity. The app caters to Arabs from all backgrounds, whether they are living in their home countries or are part of the Arab diaspora. The app recognizes the unique nuances and complexities of Arab culture and provides a space where individuals can authentically express themselves, fostering a sense of belonging and community.

What does your day-to-day look like now professionally, as the Founder of a growing dating app?

The first thing  I do is review the lists of signups like it’s my morning newspaper. We have an incredible team of developers and super AI technology that maintain profile standards and user quality, but a set of human eyes scanning over never hurts. I proceed to meeting with my team to review user feedback and pitch new feature ideas and track the ones in progress. I then spend the majority of my time on marketing initiatives through our ambassador programs and social media collabs. Baklava operates within a tight knit community, and we love to nurture our relationships with Arab American influencers.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
For the aspiring entrepreneurs, I would like to recommend a book that my mentor gave me called “Designing Your Life.” He said: “This is not a book of great ideas, but it is a roadmap of proven steps that produce many potentially great ideas.” This book prompts us to think of the life experience we want first and design the building blocks of it second — including your business ideas. In other words, for a business idea to be successful, it must meaningfully complement your life.

Pricing:

• Baklava Boost Weekly for $9.99
• Baklava Gold for $34.99 per month
• Baklava Gold Weekly for $17.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://baklavaapp.com/
• Instagram: @baklava.app or @leila.muhaizen
• Other: TikTok: @baklava.app

Image Credits
Courtesy of Baklava App