Hanan Wehbi

The roots of Maknoon go back to Hanan Wehbi’s childhood.

Raised by her grandmother in Lebanon while her parents worked abroad, she remembers handpicking hibiscus and chicory leaves from the fields to help prepare family meals.

Those early memories taught her the beauty of authenticity and simplicity.

Even as she built a career in senior brand and marketing roles across financial institutions and creative agencies, stability no longer felt like growth. “I wanted to build something that meant something, rooted in purpose, people, and heritage,” she says.

In 2020, she founded Maknoon, meaning ‘treasured’, a brand devoted to celebrating authentic olive oil sourced from small farmers across the Levant. Its mission is to honor the land, uplift those who nurture it, and offer “honest olive oil” that connects people to culture.
 
“It was never just about the oil,” she says. “It was about connection and meaning.”

Leaving stability meant confronting uncertainty and self-doubt. “I worked through them by staying close to my purpose and grounding myself in the impact I wanted to create,” she says.

Her pursuit of mastery took her to the University of the Peloponnese in Greece, where she became a certified olive oil sommelier. There, she learned to taste, assess, and understand olive oil, transforming appreciation into expertise.

The turning point came when a client was moved by the story of Maknoon’s farmers before even tasting the oil. That moment confirmed she was building something that resonated beyond the product itself.

Hanan wakes up knowing her work reflects who she is. Having lived in Dubai for more than two decades, she describes freedom as “building something with heart and purpose”.

Her personal brand has evolved from professional identity to purpose-driven storyteller, dedicated to preserving a heritage that continues to inspire. “I never expected the hardest decisions would lead to the most meaningful chapters of my life.”