Meet Dandy Manning and Mohammad Sarhan of The Bedouin Company

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dandy Manning and Mohammad Sarhan. 

Hi Dandy and Mohammad, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
We met and married while I was working in Amman. Mohammad is a Bedouin – so I guess I can say I married a Bedouin.

While learning Arabic in Jordan, the easiest first vocabulary to learn centered around cooking and spices. Although, I would mark spice containers in only Arabic to test my memory, I’d sometimes forget the word so I would open the container for a clue of the spice. This is when I became enamored with spices. The blends were just so different, complex than what I had been used to. Jordanian families are very close, so many, many meals were spent with sister-in-laws, mother-in-law. We didn’t always understand each other but cooking and eating was a connection.

When we came to the US, we decided to share the spices of his homeland. By offering Middle Eastern spices and other products to customers around the country, we have formed long-distance relationships with buyers. We share stories of children, cooking, sewing, and traveling. This evolvement from just an online store to more of a virtual community is what drives us.

Through our store, My husband and I strive to:

– bridge gaps in understandings about the Middle East, specifically the Levant region;

– share cuisine, cultures, traditions, and history with the world; and

– ultimately promote greater peace and understanding.

Establishing The Bedouin Company allows us to follow in the footsteps of previous generations as my husband’s grandfather – and his great-grandfather were spice traders in Palestine. In the late 1940s, many Palestinians were displaced, and our grandfather lived amongst the Bedouin in the [Jordanian] desert selling spices from the back of a camel. He would soon establish the first spice shop in downtown Amman, which back then was still part desert. He would also support a nascent spice producer that would go on to become one of the best-known spice companies in Jordan. It is with this 70-year-old spice company that we partner with to bring our customers, authentic natural spices from Jordan, Palestine, Syria and other Middle Eastern countries.

In addition to this longstanding relationship, we also source products from family. Both our olive oils are sourced from family olive groves: one in Ajloun, Jordan, and the other in Huwara, Palestine. Some of the precious memories we share is of family who travel from Jordan by bus into Palestine to pick up our oil and carry back to Jordan and ship to us in the US.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Well, it hasn’t been easy. One of the biggest challenges is “getting our foot in the door” as a new business. When we wanted to establish a brick-and-mortar storefront, but many of the leasing companies in the area are so hesitant to give small, independent businesses a chance. There are so many artisans, producers, and other creative people in the area. Unfortunately, our experience has been: (1) leasing agents don’t call back or (2) don’t provide leasing details once they hear you are a “new concept,” or this is “your first location.” Not only is housing expensive in the area, but so is leasing space. The current market isn’t conducive to attracting small, independent businesses.

However, we were fortunate to connect with Drew Dunzweiler, a leasing agent at Crabtree Mall in Raleigh. Lots of businesses talk “they shop local” or “they buy local.” Well, Crabtree Mall recognizes the importance of local businesses and offers them opportunities for mall space. We did have a pop=up at Crabtree, but it was in our best interest for our products to concentrate online for now as we reach a broader customer base.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Separate from working for an international development organization, we work to build The Bedouin Company and bring people together through a common enjoyment of spices and cuisine. We really love interacting with customers, sharing stories and spice ideas. If someone requests a spice or herb we don’t have, we’ll look for it. Not only do we sell spices we use them. We grew up in the culture – with the food. We have had relationships with one producer for almost seventy years thanks to our grandfather. We are proud of our products. In addition to spices, we will bring more authentic Middle Eastern and worldly products to the Internet and to customers around the country.

How do you think about happiness?
Happiness is a wonderful, exciting emotion. For us, it can bring moments of carefree laughter or even a smile. We are most happy knowing families’ health and security are positive. We’ve been thrilled traveling the globe and meeting new people. We’ve been to five continents and almost 40 countries, exploring culture and food. Finally, happiness is gained through helping others. Always helping others.

Contact Info:

• Email: thebedouincompany@gmail.com
• Website: www.thebedouincompany.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebedouincompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheBedouinCompany/
• Other: www.etsy.com/shop/thebedouincompany

Image Credits
Dandy Manning