A company based on discipline and orientation
In a rapidly changing world, consistency is rare. Said Abulafia built his career on this.
Based in Tel Aviv-Jaffa, Abulafia runs a historic family-owned bakery business that has been in business since 1879. He is operating in one of the most unpredictable business environments in recent years. His approach is simple. Stay focused. Stay disciplined. Keep it up.
“For me, success means creating lasting value,” he says. “To have a positive impact on people and maintain consistency, discipline and control over my direction.”
This mindset has shaped every stage of his journey.
From law to family business in the 19th century
Abulafia didn’t start out in the hospitality industry. His career began in corporate law.
He worked in the M&A department of Israel’s largest law firm at the time. The role gave him insight into business, structures and high-level decision-making. But it wasn’t the place he wanted to stay.
He has made a change. He joined his historic family bakery business, a brand with roots dating back to 1879.
This step changed everything.
Instead of advising companies, he now built one. Day-to-day business replaced board strategy. Execution became a priority.
“I’m more focused on what I can do in the short term to move in that direction,” he explains. “It’s more about staying consistent and moving forward than following a strict system.”
Leading through uncertainty in the hospitality industry
The last few years have put this way of thinking to the test.
Abulafia led the company despite COVID-19 disruptions and ongoing instability. Demand shifted overnight. Supply chains became unpredictable. The costs rose.
The edges were tightened from both sides.
“At some point, margins on both sides were put under pressure – rising costs and unpredictable demand,” he recalls.
Instead of waiting for conditions to improve, he adapted.
He streamlined the operation. He made the business leaner. He strengthened relationships with suppliers to achieve better conditions. He focused on consistency and quality to keep customers coming back.
He also invested more in brand visibility instead of relying solely on foot traffic.
“What initially felt like a setback ultimately made the company more resilient,” he says.
The result was not just survival. It was a stronger operating model.
What makes a strong business leader today
Abulafia’s leadership style is characterized by pressure.
He believes that discipline is more important than motivation. Motivation comes and goes. Discipline remains.
“Consistency, resilience and adaptability,” he says. “You quickly learn that discipline is more important than motivation, relationships are more important than transactions.”
He also emphasizes people.
Customers, employees and partners are not just part of the system. You are the system. Strong relationships create long-term stability, especially in uncertain markets.
Another important thought is to remain calm under pressure.
In the hospitality industry, conditions can change daily. Leaders who react emotionally fall behind. Those who remain steadfast create clarity.
Balancing growth with personal well-being
Abulafia does not separate business performance from personal health.
He sees them as directly connected.
“When personal well-being is neglected, business performance inevitably suffers,” he says.
His routine reflects this belief. He values training, daily walks and time to think. These are not extras. They are part of his way of working.
He also keeps his planning simple.
There is a long-term focus, but the focus remains on what matters now. He regularly checks what works and makes adjustments.
This flexible approach allows him to remain responsive without losing direction.
Building trust in a complex environment
One of the less visible challenges in Abulafia’s journey was building trust.
“As someone who worked as part of an Arab family business in a predominantly Jewish environment, it meant gaining trust and integrating into a diverse environment,” he explains.
He approached this the same way he approaches business. Stay on the ground. Focus on the people. Be consistent over time.
Outside of work, he supports initiatives that promote dialogue between different communities. This reflects the broader belief that business and social impact are linked.
How said Abulafia defines success today
For Said Abulafia, success is not just about results.
It’s about how those results are achieved.
“I look at success from multiple perspectives,” he says. “The result is important, but also how I got there, whether I stayed true to my own standards.”
Growth also plays a role.
For him, success is a process and not an end point. Even a strong performance is a signal to continue improving.
“I don’t see success as an end point, but as an opportunity to grow into the next version of myself,” he adds.
Consistency over everything
Abulafia’s story is not about quick wins.
It’s about constant progress under pressure.
He built his leadership style through real challenges. He refined it by remaining consistent in unstable conditions.
His approach is clear:
- Focus on what you can control
- Prioritize people
- Stay disciplined
- Adjust if necessary
Above all: keep moving forward.
“What keeps me going is knowing that what I build can have a real, positive impact on people,” he says.
In a volatile industry, it is this mindset that sets sustainable companies apart.
