Ness Business Fund Success Stories

Falafel Shwarma Hakerem

Name of entrepreneur: Roy Shoker
Name of business: Falafel Shwarma Hakerem
Type of investment: Opening a branch of Falafel Shwarma Hakerem
Location: Rami Levy Compound, 30/9 Ha’al Street, Be’er Sheva
Loan amount: NIS 280,000
Total investment: NIS 360,000

ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEUR

Age: 26
Place of residence: Be’er Sheva
Family status: Single

ENTREPRENEUR’S BACKGROUND

Roy was born and grew up in Be’er Sheva, and has lived there all his life. After finishing an academic high school with a major in management and economics, he joined the army and served at the Hatserim School of Aviation as a deputy adjutant. After completing his service he worked at the Revivim factory for a year, then he left for a long trip to the Far East. When he returned to Israel he worked for a year at the Avis agency in Be’er Sheva and saved up for the restaurant.

ABOUT THE BUSINESS

Falafel Shwarma Hakerem offers Israeli fast food: falafel, shwarma, and kabobs served in pita, Arab pita, or baguettes, served with Israeli-style salads.

The business officially opened at the end of 2012 and operates as a family enterprise, with Roy’s father, brother, and uncle all working there full time. Roy also employs two students who help out during peak evening times, and sometimes they are joined by other family members.

Roy would like to thank the Ness Loan Fund for its assistance and support for the opening of the  restaurant, and for their meaningful role in helping him to realize his dream of opening his own business.

Rotem Teva

Name of entrepreneur: Yonatan Ben Nechemia
Name of business: Rotem Teva
Type of investment: Opening a health store
Location: 11 Yohana Jabotinsky Street, Be’er Sheva
Loan amount: NIS 150,000
Total investment: NIS 200,000
Web site: www.rotemorganic.com

ABOUT THE ENTREPRENEUR

Age: 49
Place of residence: Meitar
Family status: Married with 1 child

ENTREPRENEUR’S BACKGROUND

Yonatan made Aliyah from India in 1980, and lives in Meitar with his wife, also an immigrant from India, and their son. Yonatan owns a business that sells natural products, vitamins, organic food, dried fruit, gluten-free products, sugarless products, as well as food products that provide alternative-medicine solutions for a range of health problems.

Yonatan opened the business in 2010 together with his brother, and they were highly successful from the start.

After about a year, when a branch of Eden Health Market opened nearby, the business suffered badly from the competition with the large chain. Yonatan’s brother decided to leave the partnership, and Yonatan continued with the business on his own.

The loan helped Yonatan to open a new branch in the Naveh Ze’ev neighborhood, in an area with a large customer base and no competition. Yonatan’s wife and three additional full-time employees work at the new branch.

ABOUT THE BUSINESS

Rotem Teva focuses on natural products and health snacks. Also, following recent increasing demand, Yonatan has started to host lectures on health-related subjects, providing the business with significant exposure and boosting sales.

The lecture project began from a one-time lecture. Then there was one lecture a month, and now there are two a month.

Yonatan would like to thank the Ness Loan Fund for its great and speedy help, which greatly facilitated the development of the chain, and its success.

For more information on the Ness Business Loan Fund, please contact Noga Malianik, noga@jfedgmw.org.il