Hazem Assaad

About Beyond Cubicles

📢 #BeyondCubicles is a weekly LinkedIn series created by Carolina D’Souza, born out of her own experience transitioning from a corporate career to independent consulting. Since its launch in June 2024, the series has evolved into a platform that showcases the inspiring journeys of several founders who have redefined the traditional 9-to-5.

Through authentic narratives, #BeyondCubicles highlights themes of courage, resilience, and purpose. The stories feature individuals from diverse industries—ranging from tech and education to wellness and adventure—who share their experiences of stepping away from conventional roles to pursue passion-driven careers. 

✨ Note: All features in this series are unpaid and shared as a way to honor and amplify real stories of transformation.

“Just get started and keep building towards better.”

Hazem Assaad always had a sense of building something of his own.

That drive followed him through university and into a corporate career, guided by: “What do I need to know if I wanted to run my own business?” he says.

And then an idea emerged both from ambition, but also from love and frustration.

After getting married, the struggle to merge wardrobes exposed a deeper issue. “It wasn’t just about clothes. It was about history.”

His wife’s European finds and his bespoke tux told stories too precious to discard.

“Seasonal coats jostled with summer linens, while sentimental pieces filled every corner. One afternoon, after hours spent rummaging through boxes, my wife looked at me and said, ‘There has to be a better way.’”

That sentence changed everything.

“We dreamed of a service where memories weren’t forgotten in a storage unit, where the convenience of modern technology met the elegance of luxury care,” he says.

In 2024, Hazem threw himself into building The Closet Valet, a white-glove wardrobe management platform offering climate-controlled storage, digital access, and on-demand delivery. ‘Like a butler for your wardrobe’, it was also designed to manage the full lifecycle of clothing: from buying to letting go.

As for the name: “A ‘closet valet’ is traditionally a physical accessory used for outfit planning. We wanted a name that reflects the level of service we offer.”

The emotional toll of the leap was steep. “Doubt was the toughest. Patience came next.” But small wins like their first 100 items stored became moments of validation. “The feeling is phenomenal. It’s a mix of joy, pride, and reassurance.”

Support played a vital role. “There are a number of people I deeply cherish… cheerleaders in this journey.”

Originally from Lebanon, Hazem was raised in Saudi Arabia before moving to the UAE for university, and stayed. His entrepreneurial lens now shapes more than his business, it’s reshaped his identity.

“I needed to grow into someone who was extremely independent and adaptable,” he says, adding that his personal branding efforts are about seeking out new people and opportunities to help others.

Freedom today? “To be able to do what I want.” Fulfillment? “Helping others.” And perfection? “Just get started and keep building towards better.”