Meet the twin titans Ahmed and Mohamed Abou Samra from Cairo, the city well known for the Giza Pyramid Blocks. Their names resonate with innovation, hard work, and unparalleled excellence in the fields of construction and interior design. As co-founders of Mixiers and Aligore & Myth, the twins have carved a niche for themselves, transforming spaces and lives with their unique blend of skills, creativity, and dedication. In this interview we delve into their sibling synergy, the challenges they faced, and their vision for the future.
Ahmed Abou Samra began his academic journey at the German University, where he graduated with a degree in Mechatronics. His twin brother, Mohamed, initially pursued a different path, earning a degree in dentistry from London University. However, their shared passion for design and construction eventually brought them together in the business world.
When asked about their beginning, Ahmed said, ” We started our business in Egypt, initially focusing on construction works and interior design. Our first projects were individual residential spaces, followed by the completion of 10 villas. We always had a knack for building and creating. Even as children, we were fascinated by how things were constructed and how spaces could be transformed.”
In 2012, Ahmed took a leap of faith and founded Mixiers under the name of Modern Construction Company, a company that would soon become synonymous with high-end interior design and construction. Starting with just one person, Ahmed’s vision was clear, to create harmonious living spaces that balance beauty, details, and art.
“Starting a company from scratch was daunting,” Ahmed admits. “There were times when I doubted myself, but the passion and vision I had kept me going. Mohamed’s transition from dentistry to a real estate salesman, in another direction which completed my direction,” Ahmed added. Leaving behind a successful career, Mohamed joined Jalcarai and quickly became one of the leading salesmen, contributing to the company’s rapid growth. Jalcarai is the name of their branch in UAE. Together, the twins’ combined efforts led to the completion of projects worth over 30 million AED.
He wanted to share more about the journey and continued, “After completing a few projects, we built a solid database of trusting clients. In 2015 we started our real estate brokerage company. We reached out to new clients, gathered additional data, and experienced significant growth.” He added with pride.
The brothers’ ethical approach to business has earned them a strong database of potential clients and a reputation for trustworthiness. This led to establishing a wealth management service, and Ahmed said, “With a solid base of trustworthy clients, we launched Wealth Valet Management for selected clients. We received strong support from these clients, helping them grow their money through real estate investments. Today, we have more than 100 trusted clients.”
Starting with just one person, Mixiers and Aligore&Myth has grown exponentially under Ahmed’s and Mohamed’s leadership. Mohamed leads the real estate line and Ahmed leads the construction and interior design line. Today, the firm boasts a team of over 50 dedicated professionals in Egypt and 15 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The real estate market is known for its volatility. The twins’ journey has not been without challenges. The unstable market conditions and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have tested their resilience. We asked Ahmed about the challenging pandemic and how they navigated periods of economic uncertainty, and he answered,
“The pandemic was a major setback, causing significant financial strain. Clients delayed payments, and the market became unstable. But it also taught us the importance of resilience and adaptability. We had to start from scratch, rebuild our client base, and navigate the uncertainties of the market. This period pushed us to diversify our portfolio geographically. We opened a branch in Saudi Arabia, a region where the Middle East is actively investing in real estate. This provided us with new opportunities and helped us to grow.” Mohamed reflects.
This strategic move paid off, with the Middle East investing heavily in Egypt, making it a safer place to invest despite global uncertainties.
Alongside Jalcarai, Ahmed and Mohamed launched Mixiers in UAE, an interior design firm that magnifies the high-end life of its clients. Mixiers delivers a hybrid of harmonious living spaces, maintaining an ultimate balance between beauty, details, and art. Ahmed shared with us about Mixiers and its unique approach to interior design,
“Mixiers is all about creating spaces that not only look beautiful but also feel harmonious and balanced. It’s about the details, the materials, and the creativity that go into each project. We aim to balance beauty, details, and art in every project. Our reputation for quality and innovation has made us a favourite among clients seeking luxurious and functional spaces.” says Ahmed.
One of the cornerstones of the brothers’ success has been their commitment to ethical practices and building trust with their clients. This approach has earned them a strong database of potential clients and numerous investments based on trust.
“We believe in working ethically and transparently. Our clients trust us because they know we have their best interests at heart.” Ahmed emphasizes.
This trust has led to the establishment of Wealth Valet Management, a service for select clients looking to grow their money through real estate investments. With over 100 trusted clients and a team of more than 50 employees in Egypt and 15 in Riyadh, the company continues to thrive.
With a thriving business spanning three countries, Ahmed told us their aspirations for the future,
“We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved, but we never get complacent. Our vision for Jalcarai is to be a leading force in the region, renowned for our innovation, quality, and ethical approach, and to keep delivering exceptional results for our clients. We want to leave a lasting legacy in the world of construction and interior design. Beyond growth, we also want to give back to the communities we serve. We actively participate in social responsibility initiatives and are committed to creating a positive impact.” Ahmed states.
Before wrapping up this insightful conversation, we asked Ahmed, what advice he would like to give to aspiring entrepreneurs in the construction and interior design industry and he said,
“The path to success is rarely linear. There will be challenges and setbacks. Embrace the journey, learn from your mistakes, stay passionate, and never give up on your dreams. Most importantly, surround yourself with a team that shares your vision and values. Together, you can achieve great things.” Ahmed concluded with these motivating words.
