Meet Mustafa Abbas, a man whose entrepreneurial journey embodies the essence of creativity, resilience, and deep-rooted spirit. With a warm smile and a twinkle in his eye, Abbas welcomes us into his world, where the magic of cinema and the thrill of entrepreneurship intertwine. Abbas is an award-winning Emirati writer and director, as well as the Managing Director of the prestigious Legend Group. His impressive portfolio of brands includes Bang & Olufsen, PPI: Property Portfolios International, Chivalry: Gentlemen’s Salon, and the newly founded brand 35 Burgundy.
For Abbas, filmmaking is more than just a profession; it is a calling that came to him at a young age. As a wide-eyed dreamer, Abbas was captivated by the power of storytelling
“Filmmaking wasn’t a choice; it was destiny.”
Little did he know that this fascination would blossom into a lifelong passion, propelling him onto the silver screen as an acclaimed writer and director.
Through the lens of his camera, Abbas paints vivid portraits of life, weaving narratives that resonate with audiences across continents. His film, Sunset State, took the world by storm, enchanting audiences around the globe. Yet, amidst the glitz and glamour of film festivals and premieres, Abbas remains grounded, his humility a testament to his genuine love for the craft.
Beyond the silver screen, Abbas is a visionary entrepreneur, breathing life into dreams and aspirations. As the mastermind behind the Legend Group, Abbas has transformed his father’s legacy into a beacon of luxury and innovation. From prestigious partnerships with global brands to the creation of bespoke experiences at Chivalry: Gentlemen’s Salon, Abbas infuses every venture with his signature blend of passion and dedication.
“The focus must always remain on your purpose and your mission, and the value you’re planning to add. So, I suppose you can say I define myself as disciplined,” Mustafa explains.
Reflecting on the pivotal moments that led Mustafa to pursue his various endeavors, he spoke about the importance of listening deeply to oneself and following a sense of calling.
“I genuinely believe one has to listen deeply to themselves. Generally, it’s a feeling of ‘I must.’ When that hits early on, the ‘why’ part might or might not be there. In any case, it’s a calling. And sometimes, funnily, there is more than one calling.”
Entrepreneurship is a learning experience, and the journey is often fraught with unexpected lessons. Abbas shared that mistakes and obstacles are inevitable, but it’s essential to overcome them and continue on the path.
“Mistakes will happen, obstacles will present themselves, and challenges will pop out of nowhere. It’s all about overcoming them and continuing the path. The game must go on.”
Maintaining resilience and balancing passion with practicality is a key aspect of entrepreneurship. Abbas highlighted the importance of combining conviction with feedback from the target clientele.
“It must be a combination of what you have a conviction for, as well as feedback/response from your target clientele. I use the word ‘target’ because you want the feedback to be valid. Not all opinions matter. But the target’s opinion is the most important thing.”
Looking to the future, Abbas believes in the compound effect and hopes that his efforts will lead to a lasting legacy.
“I believe in the compound effect and the snowball effect. What matters is what we do now, and we can only hope that it becomes worthier as time goes on, by the grace of God.”
He is…The Legend!
