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Leadership in Action: Entrepreneur Saba Syed of Moroccan Bath Determined to Build ‘Lasting Legacy’
Oct. 8, 2024
Saba Syed, Founder of Oasis Moroccan Bath
How did you get to where you are today? My journey began with a need to be financially independent and an even a deeper drive to create a lasting legacy. The centuries-old Hammam tradition has always fascinated me—not just for its relaxation benefits, but for its holistic approach to cleansing the body, mind, and soul. So, combining my passion with a vision to bring an authentic yet luxurious Hammam spa experience to Houston, I took the leap less than two years ago to open my own spa.
The road has been challenging but incredibly rewarding. I’ve always believed that success comes from dedication and staying true to your values, and that has been my guiding principle. I focused on creating a serene, authentic atmosphere where every guest feels truly cared for. From hand-picking the best products to carefully curating our services, I wanted every detail to reflect the quality and soul of the OMB Hammam rituals.
I also knew that building relationships would be key. Word-of-mouth, strong community connections, and media support have been instrumental in my growth. I was fortunate to be featured on TV and in several magazines, which brought more visibility to the spa. But at the heart of it, the success comes firstly from God, and then from the positive feedback and loyalty of our clients, who have embraced this experience and helped spread the word.
Today, I’m proud to see how far we’ve come, but I know this is just the beginning.
Who do you credit? First and foremost, I credit God for my success and for giving me the strength and ability to start this business. Without His constant help and mercy, none of this would have been possible.
Next, I credit myself for the determination and perseverance it took to bring this vision to life. I’ve always been someone who, once committed to a goal, pursues every possible avenue to achieve it. Building this business required dedication, resilience, and an unwavering belief in myself.
What lessons have you learned that might enlighten and inspire others? Trust your instincts, stay focused, and remain positive. Positive energy is magnetic—you’ll attract people with the same outlook. Don’t let difficulties or obstacles slow you down; they are a part of the journey. And no matter how busy or demanding life gets, always make time for yourself and your family. Balance is essential for both personal well-being and long-term success.
What’s new in your life or work that you’re excited about? I had initially planned for this to be a surprise, but I think now is the perfect time to share some exciting news: God-willing, we’re expanding! It’s something I had envisioned, but I honestly didn’t expect it to happen so soon. Thank God, we’ve had investors reaching out from many different areas, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to grow the business and bring the Hammam experience to more people. This new venture is a thrilling next step, and I’m eager to see where it takes us.
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A WHOPPING 2,100 people showed up to toast the 25th annivesrary of the Trailblazers Awards Luncheon and Fashion Show, one of the Houston Livestock and Rodeo's most successful events.
There was no shortage of cowboy boots, hats or fashionable fringe at the Hilton Americas-Houston, where the fourth-floor ballroom was transformed to display the splashy, colorful "Paint the Town" theme. The event offered a chance for supporters to applaud all of the Trailblazer honorees over the years, plus the class of 2025, which included Beth Briscoe, Christy Stern, Lisa Schutzenhofer, Michelle Verbois, Rainey Janke and Teresa Jordan.
The fashion show featured spring styles from Saks Fifth Avenue, and took place against a vibrant backdrop and light tubes hanging from the ceiling. KHOU's Mia Gradney and Len Cannon emceed the program, which had Rodeo representative Pat Mann Phillips and Trailblazer honchos Wendy Lewis Armstrong and Ann Massey give remarks to the crowd.
In the past decade or so, the Trailblazer ladies have supported education and literary in Houston with two programs: Rodeo ROPES (Reading Opens the Path to Education Success) has collected and distributed 620,000 children’s books through the nonprofit Books Between Kids. The group also created SPURS (Students Pursuing Unlimited Reading and Writing Success), a program that organizes a writing competition and leads Rodeo Read Along, a weekend storytime on Rodeo grounds.
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BETWEEN AN EXCITING raffle and runway show, Homemade Hope's fash bash at Tootsies was a truly tasteful success! More than 160 well heeled attendees also enjoyed browsing the season's most stylish offerings and chatting with Homemade Hope's executive director, Blair Bentley Ozenbaugh, about its mission to support at-risk children via mentoring and culinary lessons.
Festive balloons wrapped the store, courtesy of Topped Off, and Johnny Bravo kept the beats spinning all evening long — and emceed the fashion show! It featured community leaders and Homemade Hope supporters strutting their stuff in the latest looks from Tootsies and Festari for Men.
Following the runway presentation, Johnny Bravo announced winners of raffle prizes — tickets to see Luke Bryan at the Rodeo, a Tootsies shopping spree, and Astros' Diamond Club seats were highly coveted items! More than $75,000 was raised to further Homemade Hope's mission.
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