What’s the real cost of expansion? Ari Matityahu is the strategist global founders call when they want to break into the Gulf. He helped launch WeWork in the GCC — before Vision 2030, before the boom, before the blueprint even existed.In this episode of Business with Bartawi, Ari shares what it’s really like to expand into the Middle East — the failures no one talks about, the nights spent in cars, and the relationships that changed everything.We talk collapse, reinvention, legacy, and how to win in a region where FaceTime is the most valuable currency.If you're thinking of entering the GCC, expanding your startup, or building deep trust in new markets — this episode is for you.💡 Topics Covered:✅ Launching WeWork in the GCC before Vision 2030✅ What global founders get wrong about the Middle East✅ The emotional cost of building without a map✅ Why ghosting is killing your deals✅ Building trust with governments and families✅ How to stay relevant in the Gulf, year after year⏰ Timestamps:00:00 – Why teaching was Ari’s first calling04:22 – Rock bottom: $2,000 in the bank, $1,500 rent due10:59 – A midnight call changes everything15:25 – “This podcast isn’t monetized” — Ari’s real mission19:30 – How WeWork entered Saudi without a playbook25:30 – In the Riyadh airport, about to quit — but stays31:10 – Why FaceTime is the GCC’s only true currency36:45 – Expansion myths: why most founders fail here41:00 – How Ari built trust across borders and ministries46:50 – Advice for any founder entering the GCC today51:50 – Rapid fire: failure, pride, and getting rejected53:15 – The lesson from his dad’s locksmith shop📥 Follow Business with Bartawi on Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/businesswithbartawi/👤 Follow Mahmoud Bartawi:✩ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bartawi/✩ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahmoud-bartawi/✩ X (Twitter): https://x.com/bartawi#Podcast #MiddleEastBusiness #StartupExpansion #WeWork #GCCMarket #Entrepreneurship #Vision2030